A Southampton player whose future has been assumed to lie away from the club could be handed the opportunity to show he can step up to fill a key position this summer.
Russell Martin is keen to utilise the transfer market to improve his Southampton squad this summer.
That has been evidenced by the fact the Saints boss has already welcomed six signings since the transfer window opened, with Flynn Downes looking as though he could be set to be the seventh after a breakthrough in negotiations with West Ham United.
However, Martin could have the solution to a potential problem area already on the Southampton books with goalkeeper Mateusz Lis having returned from his loan at Saints’ sister club Goztepe ready for pre-season.
Mateusz Lis could save Southampton money on a new goalkeeper
Southampton secured the free signing of Lis in summer 2022, but the goalkeeper is yet to make a competitive appearance for the club.
Having spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Ligue 1 side Troyes, the Polish stopper was crucial to Goztepe’s promotion to the Turkish top flight whilst on loan last season.
It has been widely assumed that the 27-year-old would return to Goztepe this summer, either on loan or permanently, but Martin would be wise to utilise Southampton’s first friendly of pre-season against Eastleigh on Friday to cast his eye over Lis.
With Gavin Bazunu set to remain sidelined until well into next season with an achilles injury and Alex McCarthy and Joe Lumley viewed as a back-ups, Southampton have been exploring the possibility of signing a new number one this summer.
That has led to reported interest in Brighton’s Jason Steele, as well as Arsenal number two Aaron Ramsdale; the latter value at around £30 million.
If Lis gets the opportunity to show he could make the step up in pre-season, he could save Southampton a large chunk of money that could instead be spent on strengthening other areas of the squad.
Lis impressive on loan at Goztepe last season
Southampton’s owners Sport Republic also own a majority stake in Goztepe, as well as French club Valenciennes.
It is through this relationship that Lis spent last season on loan in Turkey and the former Poland youth international enjoyed a very solid campaign.
- READ MORE: Sport Republic could now send ‘brilliant’ Southampton player to join Mateusz Lis at Goztepe
In fact, the 6ft 3in goalkeeper conceded just 18 goals in 31 games and kept an incredible 20 clean sheets.
What will be crucial to whether Martin considers Lis a realistic option for next season will be his ability with his feet, but he has shown he is a very capable shot stopper.
Unfortunately, Southampton fans have so far been unable to see for themselves whether Lis is good enough in possession to carry out Martin’s instructions but the Saints boss could give him an opportunity in the first few games of pre-season.