After giving relegation a skip late last season. Southampton are now a side in real need of improvement this summer. The way they struggled to find consistency last season will keep the fans worried about the club’s future in the top flight next season.
They are ready to give Mark Hughes all he needs this summer, to help the side compete with the best next season and has been constantly linked with a number of high profile stars recently. But one player now on their radar is Angus Gunn.
Born and brought up in Norwich, the 22-year old moved to Manchester City’s academy back in 2011 and slowly progressed through the domestic leagues, earning himself a reputation in the country. He spent the last season on loan at Norwich, where he was the first choice for the Canaries, making 46 Championship appearances for the side.
He kept 15 clean sheets in those games and had his impressive moments and reports now suggest that he is looking to quit Manchester City, in search of regular game time. The Citizens have Ederson Moraes as their first choice shot-stopper while Claudio Bravo remains his backup. So Gunn has very little future in the first team at Etihad and could be interested in a switch to Southampton.
The Saints used Fraser Forster extensively before the last season but the 30-year old lost his form mid-way last season and was replaced with Alex McCarthy. The 28-year old started 18 league games, keeping four clean sheets and was crucial in Southampton avoiding the drop late last season.
He was so impressive that Mark Hughes decided to offer him a contract extension, which he signed just this week. So McCarthy is expected to be the first choice next season at St Mary’s, pushing Forster down the pecking order.
But it is now understood that the former Stoke City manager is not convinced by Forster at all and wants to replace him with the Manchester City man. Gunn is an intimidating figure, who showed his worth in the most physical league in Europe last season.
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He has shown he is ready for top-flight action and will certainly push McCarthy for a place in the first team next season. It is reported that Southampton are ready to meet City’s asking price for the 22-year old and will probably have him as an understudy to McCarthy and Forster for a season before the 30-year is completely replaced in the squad. He may not be an established star but signing Gunn is a step in the right direction for the Saints.
