Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu is expected to join Championship club Stoke City on loan for the rest of the season, according to The Independent.

Bazunu is expected to slide down the pecking order at Southampton with the arrival of Bayern Munich goalkeeper Daniel Peretz. The Israeli international was thrust into the starting lineup at the weekend after completing his loan move, with Tonda Eckert clearly hoping to use him as one of his primary alternatives between the sticks.

Eckert also has Alex McCarthy as a backup goalkeeper, so losing Bazunu would not be a major setback if he wants Peretz to be his number one. Bazunu was left out of the team for the game against Doncaster Rovers, with McCarthy serving as a backup on the bench.

Southampton’s Bazunu is set to leave.

According to The Independent, Bazunu is already in Stoke ahead of a possible move to the play-off-chasing club. The Irish international is in advanced talks to join the club on loan, with an option to buy worth £8 million attached. Stoke’s current goalkeeper, Viktor Johansson, has sustained a long-term injury, requiring the club to act quickly and sign Bazunu.

Bazunu has appeared 19 times in the Championship for Southampton this season, but the former Manchester City player has faced criticism for some of his performances. The Saints wasted little time in the transfer market looking for a replacement, which clearly opened the door for Bazunu to join Stoke.

McCarthy has only started seven league games this season, so he is unlikely to be the starting goalkeeper, with Peretz clearly coming in to replace Bazunu.

Interesting Decision From Southampton

Helping out a fellow Championship club is an intriguing move by the Saints. Stoke are vying for the play-off places, currently in seventh place, while Southampton will want to be in or around that by the end of the season.

Stoke are only seven points ahead of the Saints, so providing them a boost ahead of the second half of the season is an intriguing move. Although the management may not appreciate Bazunu, Stoke and Mark Robins definitely see potential in the Irish international.

St Mary’s supporters will be hoping that their decision does not come back to haunt them, while also praying that Peretz steps in and shines under Eckert.