Gavin Bazunu tipped for 'sad' Southampton exit after Tonda Eckert hint | OneFootball

FLW's Saints Fan Pundit believes Gavin Bazunu will leave the club this month, but the pressure quickly switches to Daniel Peretz

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu has been backed to leave the club this winter transfer window, although it’s poised to be a ‘sad’ departure.

This comes after head coach Tonda Eckert hinted that although the final decision on the shot-stopper lies with Saints’ sporting director, Johannes Spor, "conversations" are taking place regarding Bazunu’s future at the club.

Eckert told the Daily Echo, "I think that's more a question for Johannes. 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 German concluded.Which is why FLW spoke with our Southampton Fan Pundit, Martin Sanders, on the matter - and he believes a January exit from Hampshire is the most sensible outcome for Bazunu's career at this stage.

The clarity offered by Eckert in the aforementioned quotes suggests Southampton are actively exploring solutions that benefit both the player and the club, rather than simply keeping Bazunu as a second-string goalkeeper warming the bench.

With Daniel Peretz arriving as the loan signing to provide immediate No.1 competition and depth, the writing appears to be on the wall for the 23-year-old shot-stopper, which Sanders admits is a 'sad' situation.

"Bazunu won’t be happy I wouldn’t think, Sanders told FLW when asked what his thoughts on the Irishman's situation are, "though he’s took a lot of stick because he’s not had a very good season."

"But unfortunately he was loaned out last year, think his time has probably come to an end at Southampton now which is a bit sad and I wish him all the best, it’s just not worked out for him at Saints at all," the Fan Pundit added.

Perhaps the general feeling among large sections of the Saints fanbase is that Bazunu's tenure at St Mary's has ultimately failed. It's worth a reminder that he cost the club a reported £12m from Manchester City in 2022, the summer after he won Players' Player of the Year at Portsmouth.

In hindsight, paying that amount for a goalkeeper who had no experience in the Championship wasn't perhaps the wisest of choices - and he didn't even make his competitive debut for Pep Guardiola's side.

The Ireland international has struggled to adapt to the demands of the Championship this season, conceding 28 goals already in just 19 games, and his previous loan spell at Standard Liège last didn't exactly go to plan either - as he only played eight times because of injury.

Southampton need to "rectify" Gavin Bazunu "issue" with Daniel Peretz

Sanders continued in his assessment on Bazunu's future exit by saying, "He will move on and wish him all the best, you just have to hope that the new goalkeeper’s going to come in and be a lot better, that’s going to have to be the key.

As previously mentioned, the arrival of Peretz, a 25-year-old with experience at both Bayern Munich and Hamburg, represents Southampton's attempt to inject some quality into the position.

Peretz himself expressed optimism about his move, stating to the club’s official website, "I'm really happy to make this move to Southampton, it's a great club in a good league and I'm really looking forward to getting started.

"I want to help the team to get back in the Premier League. Although it's a tough goal, I think it's realistic. There are a lot of games to go."

Unsurprisingly, this implies that the Israeli expects to take over the starting spot at Southampton - but Sanders concludes by admitting Spor and co have to get this transfer right.

"And hopefully it will be [the key] because we’re leaking way too many goals and it’s been a big issue for a while and if they don’t rectify it we’ll continue to let goals in."

So, a fresh start elsewhere could provide Bazunu with the opportunity to rebuild his confidence away from the pressure that has defined his Southampton experience.

Whether that move actually happens in January - as Sanders thinks - or further down the line, the fan message seems clear that a parting of ways serves the interests of both player and club.