The important clause Sheffield United will try and use as a weapon in their bid to capture Aaron Ramsdale from AFC Bournemouth
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With negotiations aimed at re-signing Dean Henderson on loan becoming increasingly complicated, Wilder has made the youngster one of his leading targets ahead of next month’s return to Premier League action.
Ramsdale, who made nearly 40 appearances in the competition last term, was a rare success story at the Vitality Stadium last season - embellishing his reputation with a series of impressive displays despite Bournemouth’s slide towards relegation.
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Hide AdHaving progressed through United’s youth system before heading to the south coast, Ramsdale is known to be interested in returning to his former club and has already been the subject of a bid thought to be worth in the region of £12m.
Although that was rejected, Bournemouth’s hierarchy, who appointed Jason Tindall as their new manager over the weekend following Eddie Howe’s departure, are aware that United are entitled to a slice of any fee should Ramsdale move elsewhere. According to sources involved in the deal that saw him leave South Yorkshire midway through the 2016/17 season, the provision United’s hierarchy made when he was sold for around £1m could prove important during Bournemouth’s discussions with negotiators acting on Wilder’s behalf - although it does not force them to do business for a stipulated amount.
United initially wanted to bring Henderson, a member of the squad that won promotion from the Championship 16 months ago, back for the forthcoming campaign - which is scheduled to begin on September 12. But with the former England under-21 international’s parent club asking United to cover the majority of his wages, Wilder has switched his focus elsewhere despite remaining in contact with officials at Old Trafford should the situation change.
Ramsdale, aged 22, has also been capped by England at under-21 level.
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Hide AdWilder, who could decide to sell John Lundstram if the midfielder’s proposed new contract remains unsigned, is also monitoring Wigan Athletic’s Antonee Robinson, John Swift of Reading and Nottingham Forest’s Matty Cash.