Southampton are set to complete the signing of Manchester City goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu and a contract extension for Willy Caballero, claims reliable journalistic Fabrizio Romano.
The Lowdown: Saints’ keeper situation
Following the expiry of his contract with Saints, Fraser Forster recently signed for Tottenham on a free transfer, moving to North London to become Antonio Conte's no.2 choice behind club captain Hugo Lloris.
Southampton were also looking like they would be without Alex McCarthy next season with his contract having entered into its final 12 months. However, despite the absence of an official statement, it was reported by The Athletic last year that the 32-year-old had quietly signed a new three-year deal with the club.
With alternative choice Caballero originally set to depart the south-coast outfit too, it was made imperative for Southampton that they bring in a new goalkeeper ahead of the start of the season.
The Latest: Romano’s news
Taking to Twitter, Romano shared the latest news regarding Southampton’s goalkeeper situation, including the arrival of a fresh face at St. Mary’s.
"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."
He also provided clarity on Caballero's situation: "Saints have reached an agreement also with Willy Caballero to extend contract until June 2023."
The Verdict: Fantastic business
Whilst on loan at south-coast rivals Portsmouth, Bazunu impressed with a number of ‘unbelievable’ saves, leading manager Danny Cowley to claim the 20-year-old ‘will be world-class’ someday and that he is now ‘ready to play in the Premier League’.
Having already amassed ten international caps for the Republic of Ireland, it is clear to see why the youngster is so highly rated, and now with extensive experience in playing first-team in League One, this appears to be a fantastic long-term signing for Southampton.
Of course, with the addition of a very young talent it can't hurt to also inject some experience into the ranks, so locking up the expertise of Caballero to guide Bazunu and McCarthy feels like excellent business.
In other news: Saints make bid for Mattias Svanberg