By:
Graeme Hanna
Gavin Bazunu is expected to complete a loan transfer from Southampton to Stoke City, with the option of making the deal permanent at the end of the season.
The Republic of Ireland senior goalkeeper will be moving up the Championship table if the move to the Potteries is confirmed, with Mark Robins’ side currently on the edge of the playoff places in eighth position, seven points ahead of the Saints in 15th.
Gavin Bazunu’s prospects in Hampshire looked bleak following the arrival of Bayern Munich goalkeeper Daniel Peretz, but he will now also be on the move.
The 23-year-old is expected to feature regularly for Stoke following the long-term injury suffered by Viktor Johansson, but it also puts the Dubliner in the shop window.
Stoke City will have first refusal on him, with the fee thought to be around £8 million, but what an opportunity that lies ahead.
Gavin Bazunu key role in goalkeeper domino effect
It has been a difficult season for Bazunu at Southampton, and a testing time overall for the Shamrock Rovers youth product at St. Mary’s.
His stop-start spell with the Saints included time on loan last season with Standard Liege in Belgium, but despite being first choice earlier this season under the now-departed Will Still, things just haven’t worked out.
His future will lie away from the South Coast club and the first stage of that will be the expected move to Stoke City, which will be the seventh club of his career.
If Gavin Bazunu is to get back to his best and be the best goalkeeper he can be, he needs to find stability in the right environment.
Hopefully, he can find that at Stoke so that he can push Caoimhin Kelleher as much as possible.
Bazunu form matters for Kelleher and Ireland
It is widely accepted that the Cork man is the first choice for the Republic of Ireland, as outlined by his excellent Premier League form and string of penalty saves, but he will also benefit from having competition for his place in the national team.
Gavin Bazunu is a key piece of the domino effect unfolding, which will likely mean one of Stoke’s current goalkeepers will head for the exit.
His arrival he bet365 Stadium would require alterations for Robins’ squad to stay within the 25-man limit by transfer deadline day and particularly within the present four-man goalkeeper stable.
Understudy Jack Bonham is out of contract at the end of the season and there is interest in the 32-year-old with a move more than likely, according to local reports in Stoke.
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