Preston are keen on signing Manchester City goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu – but Southampton are now joining the race for his signature.
The Sun reported in April that Preston would like to take Bazunu on loan for next season.
Sheffield United were keen too according to that report with City seemingly ready to loan Bazunu out again.
After two spells in League One, Ireland international Bazunu now seems ready for a step up.
Preston can offer regular Championship football next season with current first-choice stopper Daniel Iversen set to return to Leicester City.
Given the rise of Iversen, Sam Johnstone and Jordan Pickford after loan spells at Preston, City may well be tempted to send Bazunu to North End.
However, talkSPORT now claim that Southampton have entered the race for Bazunu.
Southampton signing Bazunu would be somewhat controversial given that he has spent the season shining on loan with their bitter rivals Portsmouth.
The Saints would seemingly want Bazunu permanently as it’s stated that the 20-year-old goalkeeper now thinks he is ready to be a Premier League goalkeeper.
Bazunu knows that isn’t going to happen at Manchester City so may be tempted to leave this summer.
Southampton want a goalkeeper this summer with Fraser Forster set to leave on a free transfer.
They could now replicate the deal that saw Angus Gunn leave City for Southampton on a permanent basis after Football League loan spells.
That move didn’t work out for Gunn but Bazunu seems to be an even bigger talent between the sticks.
Bazunu would be an outstanding signing for Preston and a superb replacement for Iversen, but it now sounds like a deal has just got even tougher.