How much Gavin Bazunu earns at Southampton as Derby County chase deal | OneFootball

Derby County are keen on Southampton's Gavin Bazunu, who could become a top earner at Pride Park if he makes the move.

Derby County are hoping for a productive transfer window as they look to push for a play-off place after just missing out last season.

John Eustace has done a fine job with the Rams since his appointment, and there will be a belief that the side can continue to improve, and the new play-off format will certainly help.

However, Derby’s success does come at a cost in the sense that there are more eyes on their players, with Leeds, Wolves and Frankfurt believed to be keen on Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.

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The keeper has been superb in goal for Derby following his arrival from Djurgaden in 2024, and his performances at the World Cup with Sweden will have only raised his profile. So, the club will have replacements in mind if Zetterstrom, who is entering the final year of his contract, does move on.

Gavin Bazunu should be within Derby County's budget

It has been reported that Ireland international Gavin Bazunu is a target for the Rams, with the stopper still contracted to Southampton, where he has another year on his deal.

Bazunu was very highly-rated when he made the move from Man City to Saints, who were a Premier League club at the time.

Yet, he struggled in the top flight, and injuries have really restricted his progress in recent years, whilst Bazunu has also had loan spells at Standard Liege and Stoke City in a bid for more game time.

So, the chance for a fresh start at Pride Park may appeal to the 24-year-old, and the fact Tonda Eckert sanctioned Bazunu’s switch to Stoke in January suggests he doesn’t see a future for the keeper on the south coast.

Therefore, a transfer should be relatively straightforward in terms of the fee, as Saints know they won’t get anywhere near the £12m they paid for the keeper, and it will be a case of getting him off the books.

But, Bazunu’s wages may be problematic. We must stress that these figures are estimates, but Capology believe the keeper is on £20,000 a week at Southampton.

For context, that would put him as one of the top earners at Derby based on their estimates, with Carlton Morris the only permanent player in the squad said to be on a higher salary.

That means Bazunu would fit into the wage structure at Pride Park, but Derby may not be comfortable making the new recruit a top earner.

Of course, there are ways around this, but Bazunu will know that he could be in a strong position next year if he does let his contract with Saints run down.

Derby County must back John Eustace in this window

The prospect of signing Bazunu won’t particularly excite Derby fans, as he has struggled over the years, and his injury record is a concern.

But, it’s important to reiterate that he is still only 24, which is very young for a keeper, so he could be seen as a smart long-term signing.

Clearly, he was seen as a talented keeper earlier in his career, and it could be a case of a fresh start in a new setup is all he needs to fulfil that potential.

We know that Eustace has a good track record when it comes to developing players, and, ultimately, his judgement should be trusted in the transfer market.

If the boss and the recruitment team are convinced Bazunu could help the team, then it’s a deal the club should pursue, as it will be realistic financially for the Rams.

Ideally, Derby will keep Zetterstrom, but it would be no surprise if he did secure a move away, and Bazunu appears to be an option if that does happen.