Southampton are close to signing Manchester City goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu on a permanent basis.
Saints are on the lookout for a new stopper after Fraser Forster left St Mary's to become Hugo Lloris' number two at Tottenham. This leaves Alex McCarthy as Southampton's only senior goalkeeper heading into the new season.
90min can confirm that Bazunu looks likely to be Forster's replacement with negotiations already well underway with City over a transfer.
The 20-year-old - who has already won 10 caps for the Republic of Ireland - ironically spent the 2021/22 campaign on loan with Saints' bitter rivals Portsmouth.
During his time at Fratton Park, Bazunu performed well enough to win the club's Player of the Season award, but he is now set to break Pompey fans' hearts by linking up with Southampton.
Listen now to 90min's brand new podcast, Talking Transfers, with Scott Saunders, Graeme Bailey& Toby Cudworth. This week Harry Symeou steps in for Scott and the trio discuss the futures of Bukayo Saka, Rafael Leao, Romelu Lukaku, Kalvin Phillips, Youri Tielemans, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Raphinha, Gabriel Jesus and more.
The club are hopeful of agreeing a deal imminently with the young keeper set to cost them up to £15m once potential add-ons are taken into account.
Although Bazunu has not played in the Premier League before he will still be aiming to establish himself as the number-one on the south coast with McCarthy missing large portions of last season due to fitness problems.
Source : 90min