Former Reading goalkeeper Alex McCarthy has been linked with a Premier League move after a string of strong recent performances.
McCarthy is currently with Championship outfit Southampton and had been the second-choice ‘keeper for the majority of the season, that was until Gavin Bazunu suffered an achilles injury in mid-April.
As a result, McCarthy has started each of the Saints’ last six games, including the first leg of their play-off semi-final with West Bromwich Albion. The 34-year-old would keep a clean sheet in the 0-0 draw, as well as making a couple of very strong saves to give his side a great chance of making the play-off final.
He’ll be between the sticks once again for the reverse leg at St. Mary’s and will be hoping to help guide his side to a trip to Wembley, and potentially even gain promotion the Premier League.
McCarthy already has Premier League experience to his name, appearing for no less than four different sides in the top flight. The once-capped England international would initially break onto the scene at Reading, and looked to be the first choice ‘keeper when the club were in the top flight during the 2012/13 season, but a shoulder injury would limit him to just 13 appearances.
He’d stay with the Royals for a further season after their relegation to the Championship prior to turning out for the likes of Queens Park Rangers and Crystal Palace in the top flight prior to spending the last eight years with Southampton.
Regardless of whether the Saints’ get promoted or not this season, McCarthy may be with a Premier League side next term. It was reported by the Daily Mail that both Liverpool as well as Newcastle United are keeping tabs on the goalkeeper, perceiving him as a potential back-up option with experience for next season.
They are not the only two clubs in for the 34-year-old, with Scottish giants Celtic also looking for a potential Joe Hart replacement. A good performance in the second leg against West Brom and potentially even the play-off final may just be what earns the former Reading man a move.
Writer’s View
Despite spending a long part of his career with Southampton, McCarthy will be well remembered for his time with Reading where he first really broke onto the scene. He’d earn the club a decent fee for his sale to QPR, but its fair to say they haven’t put that money to the best use in recent years.
With his contract up this summer, McCarthy may well move on from the Saints and he’d be an ideal back-up in the Premier League. His experience certainly counts for a lot and he could be quite an asset for a young keeper to learn from.
It’s unknown what will happen if Southampton do gain promotion, but there’s certainly options elsewhere currently.
