Stoke City have agreed a loan deal for Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, who will join the Potters on a loan-to-buy agreement.
This comes after the news that Stoke goalkeeper Viktor Johansson underwent shoulder surgery earlier this week and is not expected to feature for months to come.
Southampton, after signing Israeli goalkeeper Daniel Peretz, are willing to part ways with Bazunu, who has spent an error-ridden time at the south coast club, who are hoping to win promotion back to the top flight.
Word of Gavin Bazunu’s possible availability this month attracted interest in England and further afield, with Spanish side Celta Vigo enquiring, but Stoke made the most appeal.
Tonda Eckert was asked about Bazunu potentially leaving in his pre-Doncaster press conference: “I think that’s more a question for Johannes [Spors]. We need to make sure that we find the best option for him and the club.
“Those conversations are taking place and will continue to take place, but in the end, it’s a decision between the club and him. We’ll see,” he continued.
“The Irish boys just had a couple of days off more because they had not had a break. We’ll come to a decision that is best for everyone involved.”
The option to buy in the deal between Southampton and Stoke is in the region of £8m, but it is not expected to be triggered unless Stoke’s first-choice keeper Johansson departs this summer.
A deal is expected to be finalised within the next 48 hours.
Since signing for Southampton in 2022, Gavin Bazunu has had a tough time at Southampton.
Playing 97 games across both the Championship and Premier League, Bazunu is a great distributor of the ball, coming from the Manchester City academy.
His passing out from the back was key in his consistent placing in the side for the Saints, given his poor shot-stopping.
Bazunu has prevented -6.81 goals and has a save percentage of just 60% this season, and although his side have been poor defensively, his errors have been at the heart of many issues.
He’ll hope for a fresh start at play-off chasing Stoke City, where he has agreed to join after visiting for advanced talks.
