£20k-a-week Southampton star set for exit as move makes sense

A Southampton FC departure for one of the club’s highest earners appears increasingly logical as Tonda Eckert begins reshaping his squad during his first transfer window in charge at St Mary’s. The German head coach has wasted little time in identifying areas of concern within his squad, and it comes as little surprise that changes are already underway.

Southampton’s Championship campaign has been a difficult one so far, both under Eckert and his predecessor Will Still. While the Saints finally recorded their first victory of 2026 with an FA Cup win over Doncaster Rovers, consistency in league form has remained elusive. Eckert will be hoping that cup success can act as a catalyst when Championship action resumes next weekend.

Despite their struggles, Southampton are not completely cut adrift. They currently sit 15th in the table but remain just eight points behind Watford in sixth place, with 19 league matches still to play. That gap, while concerning, leaves room for optimism if momentum can be found quickly.

The club underwent major upheaval last summer following relegation from the Premier League. A number of senior figures and high earners were moved on as Southampton attempted to reset after a disastrous top-flight campaign that yielded just 12 points. Fresh faces were brought in to spark improvement, but not every remnant of the previous era has been cleared away.

Several players remain at St Mary’s who have now experienced two relegations with the club, as well as promotion via the play-offs in May 2024. One of those figures is goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, whose Southampton career has been a source of constant debate.

Although injury ruled him out of a move to North London at one stage, Bazunu has long divided opinion among the Saints fanbase. That division has continued into the current season, making a fresh start increasingly appealing for all parties involved. The arrival of Bayern Munich goalkeeper Daniel Peretz has further reduced Bazunu’s standing in the pecking order, opening the door for a temporary switch to Stoke City.

Bazunu joined Southampton from Manchester City in the summer of 2022, a move that represented a significant step up in his career. Having spent almost four years on City’s books after arriving from Shamrock Rovers in 2018, he impressed during loan spells at Rochdale and Portsmouth. However, the £12 million fee Southampton paid for him placed immediate expectations on his shoulders.

Those expectations proved difficult to meet during the club’s 2022/23 relegation season, when Bazunu struggled for consistency. While he was retained as first choice in the Championship the following year and played a central role in Russell Martin’s promotion-winning side, criticism never fully subsided. Errors at key moments continued to overshadow his performances, despite his regular inclusion.

His situation worsened during the summer of 2024, when Southampton signed Aaron Ramsdale. That arrival, combined with a serious Achilles injury, limited Bazunu’s opportunities. When he returned to fitness, a loan spell at Standard Liège failed to revive his momentum and was cut short by further injury setbacks.

Bazunu was given another opportunity at the start of the current season under Will Still, but persistent defensive fragility and a lack of confidence at the back soon became apparent. He was eventually dropped for the final seven matches of Still’s tenure and later endured another difficult run between the posts. A heavy 4–0 defeat away to Middlesbrough on January 4 appeared to mark a low point.

In total, Bazunu has managed just 19 clean sheets in 97 competitive appearances for Southampton, a statistic that underlines a frustrating spell for a goalkeeper once regarded as one of the brightest prospects in his position. With Peretz now established, allowing Bazunu to leave on loan also makes financial sense. Southampton are estimated to be saving around £20,000 per week by moving him on, easing pressure on Sport Republic’s wage bill.

Stoke City, meanwhile, are in need of reinforcements between the sticks. First-choice goalkeeper Viktor Johansson is currently sidelined with a shoulder injury, leaving manager Mark Robins searching for additional depth beyond Tommy Simkin and Jack Bonham.

Reports suggest that Stoke are in advanced discussions over an initial loan deal for Bazunu, which would include an £8 million option to buy. For Robins, the arrangement offers a low-risk opportunity to assess whether the 23-year-old can rediscover confidence and consistency in a different environment before committing to a permanent move.

For Bazunu, the switch could be crucial. With his Southampton contract running until June 2027, a successful spell in the Potteries would put him firmly back in the shop window and potentially revive a career that has stalled amid injuries and uncertainty.

Regardless of how the loan develops, it is difficult to imagine Bazunu re-establishing himself at St Mary’s in the long term. A combination of form, confidence issues, and new competition has pushed him to the fringes, and a permanent separation may ultimately benefit both player and club.

As Eckert continues to reshape his squad and address lingering issues from previous campaigns, Bazunu’s departure feels like a natural step in Southampton’s ongoing rebuild—one that could provide clarity, financial relief, and a chance for renewal on all sides.