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Gavin Bazunu set for Premier League transfer as Southampton close in

Published 10:38 9 Jun 2022 BST

Updated 12:51 9 Jun 2022 BST

Gavin Bazunu set for Premier League transfer as Southampton close in

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Southampton are in advanced talks for Gavin Bazunu.

Gavin Bazunu is set to move to the Premier League club as talks between Southampton and Manchester City are at an advanced stage over a €12m transfer with add-ons. Pep Guardiola's side are prepared to sell Bazunu to the Saints as the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper has only two years left on his contract at the Etihad Stadium.

Gavin Bazunu Premier League Southampton transfer

Southampton close in on signing Gavin Bazunu.

According to The Athletic, the two clubs have been in negotiations over the past two weeks and are getting closer to an agreement. Bazunu has been Southampton's top target to replace outgoing goalkeeper Fraser Forster, who signed for Tottenham Hotspur on a free transfer. However, experienced number 1 Alex McCarthy remains at St Mary's for next season, he will provide competition for the former Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper. Ralph Hasenhuttl's team have made Bazunu their top target, who had to withdraw from Ireland's Nations League squad due to a back injury. The 20-year-old spent last season out on loan at the Saints' rivals Portsmouth, where he kept 16 clean sheets in 44 appearances in League One as he won Pompeys Players’ Player of the season.

Shamrock Rovers set to benefit from Bazunu move.

The transfer could land Shamrock Rovers with a seven-figure windfall, due to a sell-on clause in the shot-stoppers Man City contract. The Hoops Academy graduate made five appearances for the League of Ireland outfit in 2018, before moving to the Sky Blues for an initial fee of €500,000. Bazunu's caps for the Boys in Green senior team have resulted in Rovers earning a six-figure sum for each competitive appearance. Overall, the Dublin club benefitted from Bazunu's progression in England, and will further if he moves to Southampton.