Southampton Flop Set for EFL Switch

Stoke City Set to Sign Southampton Wantaway This Winter

Stoke City are closing in on a move to sign Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu in the coming days of the winter transfer window, according to Daniel McDonnell of the Irish Independent.

The Irish shot-stopper is set to join The Potters on a loan move until the end of the season, with Mark Robins and his side holding an option to make the move permanent at the end of the season, should they wish.

Despite losing a touch of the momentum that had Stoke City within early shouts for the EFL Championship title at the start of the season, The Potters remain firmly in the race for Premier League promotion and will be hoping for a strong January to bolster those chances - all of which may appeal to a Bazunu who has seen his number-one spot threatened by the signing of Daniel Peretz recently.

Stoke City already hold the services of Viktor Johansson at the bet365 Stadium at the moment, who has been regarded as one of the Championship's best goalkeepers this season over. However, the 27-year-old Swede is ruled out with injury after undergoing surgery on his shoulder, leaving The Potters with a vacant spot for Bazunu to make a claim for.

Stoke City have agreed a deal to sign Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu on loan.

Comes as Viktor Johansson has been ruled out after undergoing shoulder surgery.

(Via: @SportsPeteO) pic.twitter.com/DHUCqkImL1

— Second Tier podcast (@secondtierpod) January 11, 2026

Stoke City Closing in on Bazunu Loan

Stoke City are closing in on a move for Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu this winter. The deal is expected to be a loan move with Stoke hoisting an option to make the move permanent at the end of the season.

The Ireland goalkeeper has made 19 appearances in the Championship for The Saints this season, but the Manchester City academy graduate has been on the receiving end of damaging criticism for his showings between the posts on the South Coast this term.

Stoke replacing Viktor Johansson with Gavin Bazunu pic.twitter.com/kM7uiwWIVq

— No Context Saints (@NoContextSoton) January 11, 2026

In response to his poor form, Southampton have already made a move and signed a replacement in the form of Bayern Munich goalkeeper Daniel Peretz, who has arrived at St. Mary's to provide competition for the number-one spot.

The deal made sense for all parties involved, even more so when considering the presence of Alex McCarthy at Southampton who can provided ample cover for their new arrival, potentially rendering Bazunu's spot at Southampton obsolete.