Tonda Eckert will love Celtic if double Southampton transfer raid is sealed | OneFootball

Tonda Eckert will be hoping a deal can be struck with Celtic for the transfers of Gavin Bazunu and Yukinari Sugawara

Southampton haven’t been overly active in the transfer window this summer, but with less than two weeks to go until the September deadline, movement in and out of the club is expected to be rife.

Southampton opened the 2026/27 Championship campaign with a 2-1 defeat away to Watford, as Cyle Larin’s second-half strike was unable to overturn the two-goal deficit, with the Saints remaining rock bottom of the table, seven points adrift of top spot already due to their -4 point deduction.

Tonda Eckert, for now, remains in charge of the club, with it looking increasingly likely that the German will stay in his post despite reports of a possible ban heading his way for his role in the now-infamous ‘spygate’ scandal.

The 33-year-old has overseen the additions of both Lewis Dobbin and Divin Mubama, whilst each of Daniel Peretz, George Long, and Larin have penned permanent deals at St Mary’s following their successful loan spells, as Shea Charles’ £30 million departure to Fulham remains their biggest sale thus far.

More are expected to depart in the coming week or so, as Scottish outfit Celtic could do the Saints a huge favour.

Celtic are interested in Southampton's Gavin Bazunu and Yukinari Sugawara

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According to The Echo’s Alfie House, Celtic are interested in a move for 24-year-old goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, with the Irishman falling down the pecking order on the South Coast under Eckert, whilst German outlet Absolut Fussball claims the Scottish outfit are also interested in a move for Japanese right-back Yukinari Sugawara, but face competition from Dutch champions PSV.

Bazunu joined Southampton from Manchester City in the summer of 2022 for around £12 million, but has endured a difficult four years on the South Coast, suffering two relegations across 97 appearances in all competitions for the club, whilst spending time out on loan with both Standard Liege and Stoke City.

Sugawara, meanwhile, joined Southampton in the summer of 2024 from AZ Alkmaar for around £6 million, but after just one year in Hampshire, where he made 30 Premier League appearances under Russell Martin and Ivan Juric, he was allowed to join Werder Bremen on loan last season.

Both were absent from the squad that travelled to Watford last weekend, with exits in the coming days and weeks looking increasingly likely, as Celtic circle for them both.

Gavin Bazunu and Yukinari Sugawara spent time out on loan from Southampton last season

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Having started last season at Southampton’s number one under Will Still, Bazunu would eventually lose his place between the sticks under Eckert to Alex McCarthy, and as the January window rolled around, Peretz arrived on loan from Bayern Munich, paving the way for his exit.

The Irishman would join Stoke on loan following an injury to Viktor Johansson, but as Peretz thrived at St Mary’s, Bazunu continued to struggle, making just eight appearances for the Potters, who didn’t follow up on their buy option they had agreed for the 24-year-old.

Sugawara, on the other hand, enjoyed a solid campaign in Germany with Werder Bremen, making 31 league appearances for the Bundesliga outfit, grabbing six assists in the process, but looks to play no part on the South Coast this season.

Tonda Eckert will be keen to strike a deal with Celtic to part ways with Gavin Bazunu and Yukinari Sugawara this summer

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With Peretz and Long firmly ahead of him in the pecking order at Southampton, and Aaron Ramsdale also still at the club, there appears to be no way back for Bazunu.

Under contract until the summer of 2027, it’s now or never to cash in on the Irishman for Southampton, as Eckert must be doing everything he can to strike a deal with Celtic.

The Scottish outfit are also interested in a move for Blackburn Rovers’ Balazs Toth, but Southampton should be doing everything in their power to convince them to pounce for Bazunu instead.

They also appear to be willing to cut their losses on Sugawara, with James Bree preferred over the Japanese international, though any move Celtic may make for the right-back may be dependent on the sale of Alistair Johnston.

Eckert will be keeping his fingers crossed Celtic can do this massive favour for him to help shift both Bazunu and Sugawara permanently off the books, with neither in first-team plans on the South Coast.

Southampton will be hoping for further recruits before the end of the summer amid Gavin Bazunu and Yukinari Sugawara exit talks

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With exits planned for both Bazunu and Sugawara, each of Ramsdale, Damion Downs, Cameron Archer, and Ben Brereton Diaz could still leave the club. Taylor Harwood-Bellis was linked with a move to Benfica, but that deal appears to have gone quiet now.

In terms of incomings, Lazio striker Petar Ratkov has been linked with a move, whilst former Sheffield United defender Anel Ahmedhodzic was also touted with a switch before Burnley agreed a deal to sign the Bosnian from Feyenoord.

A replacement for Charles remains on the cards, as Southampton are expected to only get increasingly active as the window draws to a close, as the futures of Bazunu and Sugawara hang in the balance.