Southampton manager Russell Martin is looking to address a problem areas for his squad this summer with a ‘move’ now planned.
Russell Martin is clearly keen to make a number of additions to his squad this summer to ensure that Southampton are ready for their return to the Premier League.
So far, most of those have been defensive reinforcements, with Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Charlie Taylor, Ronnie Edwards and, most recently, Nathan Wood all arriving at St Mary’s.
In fact, Southampton have made just one attack-minded acquisition in the shape of 36-year-old former player Adam Lallana on a free transfer.
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Now, Martin has identified a potential solution to a problem position and the Saints are planning to make a move.
Southampton keen on signing Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele
Last season’s undisputed number one goalkeeper at Southampton Gavin Bazunu suffered an achilles injury in April that would see him miss the end of the promotion-winning campaign.
In the Irishman’s absence it was Alex McCarthy who stepped up, despite rarely making the match day squad throughout the season.
McCarthy’s role in helping Southampton seal promotion via the play-offs has been rewarded with a new contract but, with Bazunu expected to be out until well into the new season, Martin wants a new first choice stopper.
That has led the club to Brighton, with TEAMtalk reporting that the Saints are ‘planning a move for Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele’.
The report goes on to describe how Steele saw his minutes shared with fellow Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen last season and ‘could be tempted’ by a move to St Mary’s to be the outright starter.
Steele perfect for Russell Martin’s Southampton
Martin is very particular with what he wants from his goalkeeper, with Bazunu’s ability with the ball at his feet one of the key reasons some of his shortcomings as a stopper are overlooked by his manager.
McCarthy is arguably a more solid goalkeeper than Bazunu but there is a significant drop off in the quality of distribution when the 34-year-old starts for Martin’s side.
Therefore, Steele could be the perfect solution.
At 33, Steele is an experienced goalkeeper who is generally a safe pair of hands. Crucially, though, he has shown under Roberto De Zerbi at Brighton that he is extremely comfortable with the ball and can be the player who starts the build-up for Southampton.
De Zerbi was full of praise for Steele last season, as he said: “He’s very important on the pitch and off the pitch.
“I think he deserved a new contract because he’s playing very well. Last season [he] was one of the secrets to reach the target and this season he is playing very well.
“We are playing well, Jason is playing well. I think he knows very well my idea.”
With his ability on the ball, experience and desire to be a guaranteed first-choice, this move is one that makes a lot of sense for both player and club.