Celtic are reportedly plotting a move to acquire the £12m Southampton player.

Celtic have reportedly entered the race to sign Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, with the Scottish giants considering a move for the Republic of Ireland international before the summer transfer window closes.

Southampton are expected to complete a number of departures during the remaining days of the window, and Bazunu is among the players who could leave St Mary’s. The goalkeeper has fallen down the pecking order at the Championship club and appears increasingly likely to seek a fresh opportunity elsewhere.

Celtic have now emerged as another potential destination, although they are also actively pursuing Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Balazs Toth. Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb are also understood to have shown interest in Bazunu, setting up an intriguing transfer situation around the 24-year-old.

Southampton preparing for more departures

The Saints have enjoyed a relatively busy summer despite fears that the fallout from last season’s Spygate controversy could lead to several of their key players departing.

So far, Shea Charles has been the most significant permanent exit, with the midfielder completing a reported £30 million transfer to Fulham.

However, several other important players remain at Southampton for now, including Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Caspar Jander and Leo Scienza.

Head coach Tonda Eckert is still expected to make further additions before the transfer window closes, with Lewis Dobbin and Divin Mubama already arriving, alongside the permanent signings of Cyle Larin and Daniel Peretz.

At the same time, Southampton need to reduce the size of their squad and move on players who are no longer considered central to Eckert’s plans.

Bazunu is one of those players whose future looks increasingly uncertain.

Celtic enter Bazunu transfer race

According to a new report, Celtic have now joined Dinamo Zagreb in the pursuit of Bazunu.

The goalkeeper originally joined Southampton from Manchester City in 2022 in a deal worth a reported £12 million after impressing during a loan spell with Portsmouth.

At the time, Bazunu was regarded as one of the brightest young goalkeeping prospects in English football.

His career at Southampton, however, has not developed as many expected.

A combination of injuries and inconsistent performances has seen him gradually lose his position within the squad. He also spent the second half of last season on loan at Championship rivals Stoke City.

Celtic’s interest could now provide him with an opportunity to rebuild his reputation.

Bazunu approaching final year of contract

Another important factor in the situation is Bazunu’s contract.

The goalkeeper signed a five-year agreement when he moved to Southampton, but only one year now remains on his current deal.

Unless he signs a new contract or secures a transfer this summer, Bazunu will be able to leave Southampton as a free agent next year.

That puts the Saints in a position where they may prefer to sell rather than risk losing a player for nothing.

However, his remaining contract does not necessarily mean Southampton will accept any offer that arrives.

Clubs can also choose to loan players in the final year of their contracts, allowing them to move elsewhere temporarily before becoming free agents.

As a result, the exact structure of any potential Bazunu deal remains uncertain.

Celtic already pursuing another goalkeeper

Celtic’s interest in Bazunu is particularly interesting because the Scottish champions are already working on another goalkeeper transfer.

The Hoops have been actively pursuing Blackburn Rovers’ Balazs Toth, who has emerged as a major target.

With that deal still being worked on, it is unclear whether Celtic’s interest in Bazunu represents an alternative option or whether they are considering multiple goalkeeping targets simultaneously.

The report of Celtic’s interest nevertheless demonstrates that Bazunu is on the radar of Martin O’Neill and his recruitment team.

Should the club decide to move forward, negotiations could become increasingly important as the transfer deadline approaches.

Dinamo Zagreb’s interest also means Celtic could face competition for the goalkeeper.

Bazunu’s Southampton career has stalled

Bazunu’s current situation is a considerable change from the expectations surrounding him when Southampton spent around £12 million to sign him.

The Ireland international arrived with an impressive reputation after developing at Manchester City and gaining valuable experience during his loan spell at Portsmouth.

However, his progress at Southampton has been disrupted by injuries and inconsistent performances.

During the 2025/26 campaign, Bazunu initially began the season as Southampton’s first-choice goalkeeper after returning from a loan spell with Standard Liege.

His form subsequently dipped, and he eventually lost his place.

His later loan spell at Stoke did little to restore his reputation.

Disappointing Championship numbers

Bazunu’s statistics from the 2025/26 Championship campaign illustrate the difficulties he experienced.

Across his appearances for Southampton and Stoke, he played 25 matches and conceded 36 goals.

He faced 27.5 expected goals on target and made 55 saves from 91 shots, giving him a save percentage of 60.4 per cent.

He also recorded five clean sheets.

Perhaps most concerning was his goals-prevented figure, which stood at minus 8.55, while three errors led directly to goals.

Those numbers underline why his position at Southampton has become increasingly difficult.

The goalkeeper struggled to consistently produce the performances expected from someone who had once been considered a major prospect.

A fresh start could benefit Bazunu

At only 24 years old, however, Bazunu still has plenty of time to rebuild his career.

Goalkeepers often develop later than outfield players, and a move away from Southampton could give him the opportunity to regain his confidence.

A change of environment may be exactly what he needs after a difficult spell on the south coast.

Remaining at Southampton appears unlikely to help his situation, particularly given his current position in the squad.

Eckert has several goalkeeping options available, and Bazunu has reportedly fallen as low as third choice.

That leaves him with a difficult path back into the starting XI.

Southampton need to make a decision

From Southampton’s perspective, moving Bazunu on would make sense if a suitable offer arrives.

The club invested a significant amount of money when signing him from Manchester City, and although his market value has fallen, a permanent transfer could allow Southampton to recover at least part of that original investment.

There is also the risk of allowing his contract to run down before he leaves as a free agent next summer.

A loan move remains another possibility if Southampton cannot agree a satisfactory permanent transfer.

However, given his current status, the Saints would likely prefer to secure a permanent departure if possible.

Celtic could offer a route back

For Bazunu, Celtic could represent an interesting opportunity.

A move to Glasgow would take him away from the pressure surrounding his Southampton spell and potentially give him a platform to rebuild his reputation.

Celtic’s European ambitions could also provide an attractive opportunity for a goalkeeper looking to regain confidence and experience important matches.

The club’s interest remains complicated by their pursuit of Toth, but Bazunu is clearly another option under consideration.

At 24, the Irishman still has considerable potential despite his recent struggles.

A fresh start could allow him to rediscover the form that made Southampton spend £12 million on him in the first place.

For Southampton, Celtic and Bazunu, the coming days could therefore prove decisive.

The Saints appear keen to move the goalkeeper on, while Bazunu himself would benefit from finding regular football elsewhere.

Whether that opportunity comes at Celtic, Dinamo Zagreb or another interested club remains to be seen, but all parties could benefit from a transfer that allows the goalkeeper to restart his career.