Southampton have confirmed the transfer of Manchester City goalkeeper Angus Gunn. According to recent reports, the Saints will pay £10m to the Citizens for the English keeper during this summer transfer window. It is believed that the fee could rise to a maximum of £15m.
Gunn had featured in 51 matches for the Canaries last season, conceding 66 goals while keeping 16 clean sheets in all competitions. He is exactly the kind of talent who can thrive with regular first-team opportunities under Mark Hughes at the South-coast of England.
However, it will be a gamble for the Saints as the 22-year-old is still unproven at the top level and might need some time to adapt his game to the physicality and high intensity of the Premier League.
Southampton had managed to survive a relegation scare by the skin of their teeth last season. Hence, Mark Hughes is in dire need to rebuild his squad ahead of the new season as they look to avoid getting dragged into a relegation dogfight once again in the upcoming campaign.
The addition of Gunn will undoubtedly bolster Hughes’ goalkeeping options at the St. Mary’s Stadium. The Saints has the likes of Fraser Forster, Alex McCarthy and Stuart Taylor vying for a place in between the sticks in their first-team. The potential acquisition of Gunn will definitely improve their team significantly and add more competition for places within the Saints squad.
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At the tender age of 22, the English goalie still has a lot of time to develop and take his game to the next level but it is clear as day that he doesn’t have a future at the Etihad Stadium with both Ederson and Claudio Bravo being preferred ahead of him in Pep Guardiola’s pecking order.
For now, Gunn needs to put his head down and gain as much first-team experience as possible. It remains to be seen what lies ahead in the future of Gunn and whether his time at the South-coast club turns out to be a success.
