Soccer Football - FA Cup Fourth Round Replay - Tottenham Hotspur v Southampton - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - February 5, 2020 Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min is fouled by Southampton's Angus Gunn resulting in a penalty Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs
Southampton have been willing to allow either Angus Gunn or Fraser Forster to leave the club before the end of the transfer window, but the pair’s wages have been a stumbling block.
Ralph Hasenhuttl has been keen to allow one of his back up goalkeeping options to leave the club, with Alex McCarthy firmly established as the club’s first-choice between the sticks. However, it could be that it will be fourth choice stopper Harry Lewis who is allowed to leave on loan, as per the Daily Mail.
Hasenhuttl facing choice over Saints number two
The Saints have been in talks over the prospect of allowing either of one of their main back up keepers to leave the club before the window shuts, as per the Daily Mail. Forster spent last season out on loan at Celtic helping them pick up their ninth successive league title. Gunn, meanwhile, has seen himself drop down the pecking order despite starting last term as number one.
Southampton were considering making a swoop for Stoke City’s Jack Butland in a move which could have seen Gunn head in the other direction. It now seems unlikely that deal will go ahead with time running out before the window slams shut, as per the Daily Mail.
Although, Gunn could still potentially move to the Potters if Butland’s move to Crystal Palace goes through, as per The Athletic reporter Dan Sheldon.
Forster still has two-years remaining on his £70,000-a-week deal, per Spotrac, and he has been the Saints’ number two behind McCarthy so far this term. Gunn, meanwhile, still has three years left to run on his deal worth around £40,000-a-week, per Spotrac. Those wages have put off some potential suitors.
Gunn and Forster too good to be sitting on the side-lines
Gunn was once called up by England ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, while Forster has been capped six times by the Three Lions. That type of pedigree suggests both are too good to be stuck as third or second choices behind McCarthy.
For Gunn in particular after being labelled as a player with a ‘big future’ by Hasenhuttl to be now third choice is a major blow. However, he did concede 2.5 goals per game in the Premier League last term (via Sofascore). The 24-year-old would potentially benefit from a move to Stoke if it can go through before the deadline.
Saints fans, who should be the backup behind McCarthy? Let us know your thoughts below!
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