Medical booked as Southampton close in on Champions League-proven signing

Southampton have taken a significant step in the January transfer window by arranging a medical for a highly regarded goalkeeper who has already demonstrated his quality on Europe’s biggest stage. The Saints are closing in on a deal for Bayern Munich’s Daniel Peretz, a player widely praised for his reliability and Champions League pedigree.

Saints struggling to regain momentum

Southampton’s season has taken an uncomfortable turn following a promising spell earlier in the campaign. Tonda Eckert earned the permanent manager’s role in early December after an impressive run as interim boss, during which his side claimed four victories from five Championship fixtures. At that stage, optimism was growing around a potential late push toward the play-off places.

That momentum, however, has since evaporated. The Saints have failed to win any of their last six league matches and were emphatically brought back down to earth in their most recent outing. A humiliating 4–0 loss away to Middlesbrough, one of the division’s promotion contenders, exposed several weaknesses and raised fresh concerns about the squad’s balance and resilience.

As things stand, Southampton find themselves sitting 15th in the Championship table, already eight points off the top six. With the season entering a decisive phase, the margin for error is shrinking fast. If they are to revive hopes of an immediate return to the Premier League, reinforcements may be unavoidable.

Eckert cautious but open to key additions

Despite the club’s recent dip in form, Eckert has made it clear he does not intend to oversee a major squad overhaul in January. The Saints boss believes winter windows rarely offer ideal opportunities and insists any incoming players must represent genuine upgrades.

“You don’t usually do much business in January, and that’s not our plan either,” Eckert explained. “But if there’s someone who can really help the team, then the decision has to be absolutely right.”

One area where improvement appears essential is between the posts. Goalkeeping has emerged as a persistent concern, highlighted again during the heavy defeat to Middlesbrough when Gavin Bazunu was at fault for one of the goals. While the Irish international remains a young goalkeeper with potential, mistakes have become increasingly costly in a division where fine margins often decide promotion races.

Peretz medical booked as deal nears completion

Southampton now appear to have identified a solution. According to Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg, Bayern Munich goalkeeper Daniel Peretz is set to travel imminently to complete a medical that has already been scheduled. The move is expected to be finalised shortly after.

The proposed deal would see Southampton pay Bayern a loan fee of approximately €400,000, with an option included to make the transfer permanent for around €8 million in the summer. If activated, that clause would give the Saints a long-term option in a key position, rather than a short-term stopgap.

For Bayern, the arrangement provides Peretz with much-needed regular football, while Southampton gain a goalkeeper with experience at elite European level — a rare commodity in the Championship.

Champions League experience adds credibility

Although Peretz has largely served as a backup during his time in Munich, he has impressed whenever called upon. His performances last season in domestic competitions and the Champions League drew public praise from Bayern sporting director Max Eberl.

“Daniel Peretz is a fantastic backup,” Eberl said. “He’s shown his quality in the cup competitions, the Bundesliga, and now in the Champions League. He’s also delivered strong performances for the Israeli national team against top opposition like Belgium and France.”

Such endorsements underline why Southampton see the 25-year-old as a potential upgrade. Experience at the highest level often translates well to the Championship, particularly for goalkeepers who are accustomed to handling pressure and maintaining concentration.

Strong track record before Bayern move

Peretz’s reputation was not built in Germany alone. Prior to joining Bayern, he was one of the standout performers in the Israeli Premier League with Maccabi Tel Aviv. During the 2022–23 season, he conceded just 15 goals in 26 league appearances, while keeping an impressive 16 clean sheets.

Those performances played a key role in Maccabi securing a third-place finish and drew attention from clubs across Europe. His consistency, command of the penalty area, and shot-stopping ability made him one of the most highly rated goalkeepers in the league before his move to the Bundesliga.

While his opportunities at Bayern have been limited due to competition for places, Southampton believe his underlying quality has not diminished — and that regular football could help unlock his full potential.

Bazunu under increasing scrutiny

By contrast, Gavin Bazunu’s position has become more precarious. The former Manchester City goalkeeper has faced growing criticism this season, with errors undermining confidence in Southampton’s defensive unit.

Former Saints player Jo Tessem recently offered a blunt assessment of the situation, stressing that top teams require goalkeepers capable of rescuing them in difficult moments.

“I don’t have anything personal against Bazunu,” Tessem said. “But from a footballing point of view, you have to be honest about what he offers. He’s young and still learning, but if you want to be a top team, you need a goalkeeper who can save you points.”

That sentiment appears to be shared within the club, as Southampton look to raise standards rather than rely solely on long-term development.

A calculated move with big implications

If completed, Peretz’s arrival could prove pivotal. The Championship is unforgiving, and even marginal improvements can have a significant impact over the second half of the season. A reliable goalkeeper can steady a defence, restore confidence, and turn narrow defeats into draws — or draws into wins.

For Southampton, the deal represents a balanced approach to January business: minimal disruption, but targeted quality in a position that has caused problems. The inclusion of a permanent option also aligns with the club’s longer-term planning, ensuring they are not merely papering over cracks.

With time running out to mount a credible play-off challenge, the Saints appear to be making a decisive move. Whether Daniel Peretz becomes the catalyst for a late surge remains to be seen — but on paper, Southampton may have found exactly the kind of signing Eckert was willing to wait for.