Bazunu poised to complete Southampton switch

Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu is poised to complete a move from Manchester City to Southampton after the clubs agreed a transfer fee.

The Athletic report that Bazunu will move for an initial payment of £12million, which could rise to £15million, depending on certain targets being met.

The deal is understood to include a buy-back option for City and Bazunu's former club Shamrock Rovers are also set to benefit, as they included a sell-on clause in the initial sale that took the goalkeeper from Tallaght to Manchester.

Bazunu has already been capped 10 times for Ireland and only missed out on the recent Nations League games through injury.

The 20-year-old impressed mightily during a loan spell in League One with Portsmouth but is now leaving City in search of first-time football.

He is expected to challenge Alex McCarthy for the number one shirt at Southampton with Fraser Forster leaving the Saints to join Tottenham.

Former Republic of Ireland international Stephen Elliott believes it's the right move at the right time for Bazunu.

Speaking on 2fm's Game On, Elliott said: "I think if you look at Man City with Ederson there, it's very unlikely he's going to move him out of the starting eleven any time soon.

"He's looked at himself and looked at the international set-up as well and thought 'I want to go and play, I want to go and make a career for myself'.

"It's a big fee for such a young lad but I think he warrants it, he's been outstanding for Ireland."