Southampton kick-started their summer transfer program earlier today after reports point to a completed deal for Irish international and Manchester City goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu.
As reported by transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Saints have locked in on a deal for Bazunu (20) that will set the club back £12-million plus potential add-ons (making him the joint-sixth most expensive Irish player ever), with the deal presenting Bazunu with his first real chance at the highest level in his young career.
Saints were first linked with interest in Bazunu a week ago after Tottenham completed a free transfer for Fraser Forster after the England international’s deal expired at St. Mary’s at the end of the 2021-22 Premier League season.
Southampton have signed contracts and paperworks with Man City to complete Gavin Bazunu deal. Done and set to be announced for £12m plus add-ons. ⚪️🔴 #MCFC
Saints have reached an agreement also with Willy Caballero to extend contract until June 2023, confirmed as per @clmerlo.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 15, 2022
This left manager Ralph Hasenhüttl with just veteran pair Willy Caballero (40) – who extended his contract until the end of 2023 – and Alex McCarthy (32) as their only options at goalkeeper, but a deal for Bazunu signals a long-term signing in the position on the south coast that Southampton supporters can greet with a fair degree of optimism.
Though Bazunu never got his chance at City, the Dublin-native is highly touted and has already been capped ten times for Ireland after making his debut against Luxembourg in 2021 during a season that saw him named Portsmouth player of the season.
Bazunu joined City back in 2018 after coming through the ranks at Shamrock Rovers though he only made four appearances for Rovers before City came knocking.
After completing further education at the Premier League club, he was sent out on loan at League One outfit Rochdale in 2020-21 before returning to the third tier with Portsmouth last term and given Saints’ recent track record with prizing talented young players away from big fish in the Premier League, this could be another master stroke by the club as they look to fight there way back into the top half of the table.
