Earlier on Wednesday, an emerging report suggested that Ralph Hasenhüttl's Southampton were set to make an opening £10 million bid to sign Manchester City goalkeeper, Gavin Bazunu.
The South Coast side have just sold Fraser Forster to Tottenham Hotspur and are in the hunt for another player to challenge current number one, Alex McCarthy.
Bazunu spent the 2021/22 season out on loan at Portsmouth, where he was hugely impressive and even won the club's Player of the Season award.
The Irish international is expected to make the step up to Premier League action this season, but that seems unlikely to be at Manchester City, with Ederson firmly established as Pep Guardiola's first choice.
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Now, as reported by the Athletic, Southampton are closing in on the 20-year-old, with the price tag expected to exceed £10 million on with the related add-ons. The two clubs have been in negotiations for over a fortnight and it is thought that a deal is now very close to completion.
However, further information by Alex Crook at TalkSport has revealed the Blues are insistent on including a buyback option on his potential sale. Manchester City tried to convince the youngster to sign a long-term extension at the club with a big pay rise, but the goalkeeper's intentions of being a Premier League number one has forced him to look elsewhere.
A move to St Marys would be a significant step up in the young talents fledgling career, and an opportunity to test his abilities at the very highest level.
Topics: Manchester City, Southampton, Premier League
Harry Siddall