Newcastle have opened talks with Southampton to sign England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

Negotiations are at an early stage as Newcastle seek to bring Ramsdale in either on loan or a permanent deal.

However, Championship side Southampton are known to prefer a permanent sale on substantial terms having signed the England international for an initial £18m from Arsenal in August 2024.

It follows Newcastle agreeing a £27m fee with Burnley to sign James Trafford last week only for Manchester City to activate a matching rights clause and set up a deal to re-sign their former academy graduate.

The Magpies appear keen to add competition for first-choice goalkeeper Nick Pope and the move would reunite Ramsdale with his former Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe.

Ramsdale, who was last called up by England in March, would also get the opportunity to remain in the Premier League, where he made 30 appearances last season as Southampton finished bottom and were relegated with just 12 points.

Newcastle, with Champions League football to look forward to this season, are trying to shape their squad for the new season amid uncertainty over the future of striker Alexander Isak, who is interesting Liverpool. RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko is being lined up as a potential replacement.