Celtic must pull the plug on Gavin Bazunu deal, 60.4% and 1.44 stats speak volumes
Celtic must pull the plug on Gavin Bazunu deal, 60.4% and 1.44 stats speak volumes · Oliver Walton · 2026-08-20T06:28:08+00:00 · nguồn gốc
Celtic must pull the plug on Gavin Bazunu deal, 60.4% and 1.44 stats speak volumes
Celtic are reportedly keen on signing Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu but his statistics show that they would be making a mistake by completing a deal.
Martin O'Neill is looking to add another goalkeeper to his ranks before the close of the summer transfer window.
Kasper Schmeichel's injury saw Viljami Sinisalo step in as their new number one last season, and he has remained in the role at the start of this campaign.
Ross Doohan is his current back-up as it stands, but is yet to ever feature for the Hoops' first team at 28-years-old.
Numerous keepers have been linked to Parkhead, with Southampton stopper Bazunu now on their radar as a potential addition, according to journalist Alfie House.
The Ireland international has struggled for form in recent seasons while falling down the pecking order at St Mary's, and he is clearly not the keeper that Celtic need this summer.
Gavin Bazunu is not an upgrade on Viljami Sinisalo
Bazunu was a highly-rated prospect when he joined Man City from Shamrock Rovers in 2019 at 16-years-old, as he shone for their academy sides and out on loan with EFL clubs.
He picked up several individual awards after spending the 2021-22 season at Portsmouth, earning a £12million move to Southampton that summer as he became their number one in the Premier League.
The Irish international played regularly as they won promotion in 2023-24, but injury and form issues have plagued his career in recent seasons, with just 25 league appearances for the Saints and on loan at Stoke last term.
Bazunu struggled for either side, as he ended the Championship campaign with a shoddy save percentage of 60.4, conceded 1.44 goals per game and underperformed his expected goals prevented by 8.55.
Bazunu also made three errors that led to a goal, but his passing stats remained high, as they have done throughout his career.
Sinisalo's 2025-26 Premiership stats are similar, if not better, with a save percentage of 60.5, 1.25 goals conceded per 90, and an expected goals prevented underperformance of just 0.13.
He also made just one error that led to a goal and had a better pass accuracy percentage than Bazunu, so signing the Southampton man would clearly make little sense for Celtic this summer.
Balazs Toth wants Celtic move as second Championship star eyed
Celtic look to be shopping in the English second tier for their new keeper, with Blackburn's Toth also linked to Parkhead in recent weeks.
The Hungarian international boasted better stats across the board than Bazunu last season as he featured in 34 Championship matches.
Sources have exclusively revealed to Football Insider that Toth wants to join Celtic before the window closes.
They are yet to make an official bid for his services, but are expected to accelerate a move for a new stopper in the next few days.