Aaron Ramsdale to Celtic 'wages' issue raised as Gavin Bazunu, Southampton move favoured | OneFootball

FLW's Southampton fan pundit backs an exit to Celtic for Gavin Bazunu, feeling that a move for him makes more sense than Aaron Ramsdale

Southampton currently have a couple of goalkeepers on their books in Aaron Ramsdale and Gavin Bazunu, who are desperate for a career resurgence.

Bazunu looks to be potentially offered one by Scottish giants Celtic, who are in the market for a new shot-stopper this summer to challenge with Viljami Sinisalo, following Kasper Schmeichel's retirement after a serious shoulder injury in February.

The Hoops are actively pursuing Blackburn Rovers' Balasz Toth, but the Irishman remains an option, as he looks to get his career back on track after a couple of dud years following his recovery from an Achilles injury.

Bazunu's replacement during that injury was Aaron Ramsdale, who arrived as a big-money signing from Arsenal. He only kept three clean sheets as the Saints were relegated from the Premier League in 2024/25, though, and spent last season on loan at Newcastle United.

Southampton fan pundit explains why Aaron Ramsdale isn't of interest to Celtic

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With Daniel Peretz the obvious number one at St Mary's, neither Bazunu nor Ramsdale will be getting a look-in on the South Coast this season. The Irishman looks to be getting linked with moves away, but the five-time England international isn't.

Ramsdale only kept two clean sheets in 23 appearances for Newcastle last season and struggled to displace Nick Pope in the Magpies' goal as Eddie Howe's side had a down year.

That being said, Bazunu was dropped by Tonda Eckert after keeping just three clean sheets in 20 games last season at Southampton, and struggled for fitness while out on loan at Stoke City in the second half of the season. Ramsdale may be out of form, but his fellow keeper has arguably had a worse time in recent years.

FLW's Saints fan pundit, Louis Harris, has explained why Celtic may be looking at Bazunu over someone like Ramsdale, though, as while the 28-year-old has more quality on his day for a club looking to get into the Champions League, he feels his wages would put off English clubs, let alone Scottish ones.

"On paper, Ramsdale is more of an attractive option [than Bazunu]", he admitted. "But I think, for a lot of clubs in England, let alone Scotland, his wages will be a bit of a stumbling block.

"We've also seen former England keepers, such as Joe Hart and Jack Butland, end up in the SPL past their best, and I don't see Ramsdale in that bracket yet."

Hart moved to Celtic from Tottenham Hotspur in 2021, aged 34, while Butland's time at Rangers began aged 30, the latter moving back to England this summer to serve as Hull City's number two in the Premier League.

Ramsdale's 28, and just four years ago was keeping 14 clean sheets for an Arsenal team challenging for the Premier League title. He may be unfavoured and out of form, but he'll definitely still see himself as someone who could still play in the top five leagues in Europe.

Southampton fan pundit backs Gavin Bazunu to succeed at Celtic

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If Celtic go through with their pursuit of Bazunu, who was on trial with the Hoops back in 2019, then Harris feels that Martin O'Neill's side will have a good keeper on their hands.

Bazunu is still only 24, and was one of the more highly rated shot-stoppers to come out of the Manchester City academy when he made the £12 million switch to St Mary's three summers ago.

"I think a move to Celtic would be a good one for Bazunu," the fan pundit continued. "It's a chance to play in Europe for a big domestic club.

"If he stays fit and gets a good run of first-team football, Celtic would have a very good SPL keeper on their hands.

"It makes a lot of sense financially and career-wise."

With Bazunu in the final year of his Saints deal, Celtic may be able to bring him north of the border for a cut-price, and with him still in the infancy of his career as a goalkeeper, he'd have good sell-on value if he can get back to his best, too.

Gavin Bazunu needs a fresh start away from Southampton

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Bazunu's Achilles injury in April 2024 was incredibly unfortunate. With 11 clean sheets for the Saints in the 2023/24 Championship campaign, he'd be one of the few players in Russell Martin's side who could have had a good year back in the Premier League.

But inconsistencies in his game time and an inability to stay fit in the 18 months which have followed his recovery have ground any momentum and promise he had to a halt, and a move to a different league could help restart that.

Celtic took a massive step towards qualifying for the league phase of the Champions League on Wednesday night, beating LASK 3-0 at Celtic Park in the first leg of the final qualifier play-off.

A strong performance next Tuesday in Austria will see Martin O'Neill's side back in Europe's elite after a campaign in the Europa League. Bazunu, therefore, would be able to test himself amongst the best, and that could be exactly what he needs to get his career back on track.