Former Portsmouth keeper Gavin Bazunu is reportedly a target for Tottenham Hotspur as they look to replace current goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, according to Football Insider.
Bazunu is currently with Southampton, but the Saints have been relegated from the Premier League and Spurs look to hand the Irish keeper an escape from the Championship.
The 21-year-old has made 32 appearances for Southampton this season, but recent weeks have seen Alex McCarthy preferred over him in goal.
A loan spell with Portsmouth in 2021/22 saw Bazunu burst onto the scene, as Southampton paid £12 million to parent club Manchester City to get their man.
Career.
Bazunu had two loan spells from his parent club Manchester City, the first being with Rochdale in 2020/21, as they were relegated from League One that season.
During that time, the Irish keeper made 32 appearances for the club, only managing to keep five clean sheets in that time and conceded 59 goals as their shot-stopper.
His next loan spell would be much more impressive, as he arrived at Fratton Park for the 21/22 season and he was very impressive, solidifying himself as Portsmouth’s number-one choice that season. In his second season as a League One goalkeeper, he would make 46 appearances in all competitions, keeping 17 clean sheets and conceding 53 goals.
That improvement put him on the Saints’ radar and they would make their move in the summer of 2022 when he returned to his parent club Manchester City, £12 million was enough for them to get their man.
However, his first season in the Premier League has not been a happy story for the Irishman, he has made 37 appearances for the Saints this season as their relegation to the Championship for the first time in 11 years has already been confirmed with two games to go.
In those 37 appearances, he has managed five clean sheets and conceded 61 goals this season. But Tottenham still appear to be keen on their target and look set to offer him a second chance in the Premier League.
Tottenham links.
Tottenham are looking to move on from current keeper Hugo Lloris, the 36-year-old does have another year left on his contract but has made a number of mistakes this season and Tottenham look to move forward without the World Cup winner.
Spurs have attempted multiple times to replace Lloris, but have never been able to find an adequate replacement, last season saw a former Southampton keeper join that list as Fraser Forster joined, but many other surprising names have been recruited, including former England number one Joe Hart, who endured a very disappointing spell with Tottenham before joining Celtic.
What’s been said?
Football Insider are reporting that Spurs have been monitoring the development of Bazunu at St Mary’s this season and remain impressed by his progress.
The 13-capped Irish international could be one of the names that departs Southampton following their relegation, also on that list is James Ward-Prowse who Spurs also hold an interest in.
And Tottenham will be hoping that they can prise their target away from St Mary’s and the prospect of Premier League football over Championship next season will certainly be appealing to him.
Writer’s View.
Bazunu has an impressive track record behind him, his breakthrough season earned him a move as a Premier League number one and is still at a young age.
At 21 years old, he should have a long career ahead of him, especially as a goalkeeper and that is something Tottenham will be looking for as they seek to replace a veteran goalkeeper like Hugo Lloris.
With Southampton relegated, I would not be surprised to see Bazunu one of the names who departs and Tottenham could well be that club who acquires his signature.
