Southampton are looking to tie up the future of one of their play-off heroes quickly following promotion.
Russell Martin will know he has a big summer ahead of him as he tries to build a squad capable of surviving the first season back in the Premier League.
He could be forgiven for not worrying about that too much just yet, with the celebrations from Sunday’s 1-0 play-off final win over Leeds United only just beginning to wind down.
The futures of the likes of loan duo Flynn Downes and Ryan Fraser are believed to be at the forefront of Southampton‘s priorities now that the season is over.
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However, it is the future of a player who has been at the club for eight years that the Saints are reportedly looking to get sorted as soon as possible.
Southampton want Alex McCarthy to stay
Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy spent the majority of the season as the third choice goalkeeper at the club, rarely even making the squad.
Gavin Bazunu was the undisputed number one, whilst summer arrival Joe Lumley acted as his back-up as well as featuring in the cups.
However, when Bazunu got injured in the warm-up for the Preston match in April, it was McCarthy – who had not even been named in the squad – who Martin turned to rather than Lumley.
McCarthy kept a clean sheet and went on to play the last seven matches of the season after that, including a crucial role in the play-offs; conceding just once in the three games.
Now, in an unlikely turn of events that even the player himself could not have foreseen, Southampton are looking to offer the soon-to-be out of contract 34-year-old a new deal.
That is according to journalist Jack Rosser on ‘X’, who says that Southampton have ‘made it clear’ they want McCarthy to stay.
However, the goalkeeper only wants to stay if he will be the number one.
Southampton can’t make Alex McCarthy starting promise
For a goalkeeper that was third choice less than two months ago, it is a big ask to be given guarantees around being first-choice.
Perhaps, though, it should admired that the veteran ‘keeper only wants to stay if he is going to play regularly when many goalkeepers are happy to serve as back-ups.
Due to his homegrown status and the fact he will be a free agent come the 1st June, McCarthy is an attractive option and Liverpool and Newcastle United have both been credited with interest, as have Celtic.
- READ MORE: Three Alex McCarthy replacements Southampton can target amid Celtic and Liverpool interest
Whilst Southampton should offer McCarthy a new deal, it cannot come with guarantees around being the club’s number one.
Bazunu will be out well into next season with an achilles injury but has very much been Martin’s man in goal, even with some big mistakes throughout the season.
Bazunu’s ability with the ball at his feet make him a real asset in build-up and his footwork is a huge part of how Southampton play.
McCarthy is arguably a safer pair of hands, but he looks uncomfortable on the ball and this simply won’t cut it for Martin in the top flight.
Therefore, if McCarthy lowers his expectations a new deal may be a good option, but if not then Southampton may have to thank the stopper for the role he played in promotion and move on.