Southampton saw the departure of Fraser Forster earlier this month to Tottenham following the keeper’s contract running up, however, the Saints have already agreed to sign a replacement in Gavin Bazunu.
The Athletic report that Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side could pay as much as £15m for the Republic of Ireland international, with Bazunu set to compete with Alex McCarthy for the starting goalkeeper spot in what is an exciting signing for Southampton.
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At 20 years old, Bazunu is one of the highest-rated goalkeeping talents in England, with the youngster starring for Portsmouth in League One last season and establishing himself as Stephen Kenny’s no. 1 keeper for the Bhoys in Green.
Indeed, Bazunu signing for Southampton could evolve into an exciting move for the south coast side, and the youngster could be one of many keepers to breakout in the Premier League next season should fate come to pass.
Gavin Bazunu
Bazunu signing for Southampton is the main inspiration behind this feature, so it’s only right that we begin with the man of the moment, who is set for a huge transfer that could define the talented keeper’s entire career.
A shot-stopper who went viral last year for saving a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty for Ireland, Bazunu has the talent and the confidence to become a real star for Southampton. And given McCarthy’s questionable form last season, the 20-year-old could stand with a real chance of replacing the Saints’ keeper in the coming months.
Mark Travers
Another Irish goalkeeper who could be looking to earn his big break in the Premier League next season is AFC Bournemouth star Mark Travers, who played an instrumental role in the Cherries’ return to the top-flight last campaign.
Setting a club-record six consecutive away games without conceding a goal, the 23-year-old kept more shutouts out of anyone in the Championship last season, and with Scott Parker set to throw his trust behind Travers next season, the Irish youngster could be set for an explosive year in the Premier League.
Matt Turner
With Arsenal fans, as usual, rioting that no first-team signings have been made yet, it’s quite easy to forget that the Gunners have already purchased a new player in the form of New England Revolution star Matt Turner, and the keeper could be a stellar transfer.
Signed for a reported £7.5m, Turner has without question been the best goalkeeper in MLS since 2020, with the 27-year-old in with a strong shout of replacing Zack Steffen as the USA’s starting keeper for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. And if the American can impress for Arsenal, there’s a good chance that Gunners shot-stopper can challenge Aaron Ramsdale for the starting spot.
Danny Ward
Speaking of the World Cup, Wales will be competing in the competition for the first time since 1958, and for Danny Ward, the Leicester City keeper will be desperate to not only be on the plane to Qatar, but to be starting ahead of Wayne Hennessey in the opening fixture against the USA.
With Kasper Schmeichel reaching probably his last few months as a top goalkeeper, Ward could use the Dane’s veteran age to his advantage to become Leicester’s new starting shot-stopper, especially with the motivation of the World Cup driving the former Liverpool talent forward.
Freddie Woodman
England’s starting keeper in their 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup triumph in India, Freddie Woodman feels like a player who has been waiting for a breakthrough for years, and next season could finally be that time, though not at Newcastle United.
Indeed, it is a reasonable claim to suggest that the Magpies have not treated Woodman fairly, with Newcastle hardly using the talented English youth international despite his talents and potential, and this summer could see the 25-year-old depart Tyneside for a Premier League club where he actually starts on a regular basis.
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