Southampton have kicked off what looks set to be a busy summer of transfer business by sanctioning a deal which will see on-loan goalkeeper Angus Gunn extend his spell with Stoke City.
As reported by Hampshire Live, the 25-year-old has impressed Potters boss Michael O’Neill and will spend another season with the Championship club.
The report also outlined that the deal is likely to kickstart an extensive overhaul as St Mary’s could become a hive of transfer activity over the summer, with Ralph Hasenhuttl needing to make ‘eleven more big decisions’.
On the list of priorities will be the contracts of first team stars such as Danny Ings, Jannik Vestergaard, Alex McCarthy and Jack Stephens, who will all enter the final year of their contracts in June.
Ryan Bertrand has already entered the final months of his deal with the Saints and more immediate action is needed to preserve his future.
Recent injuries have badly exposed the lack of squad depth at Southampton and that will need to be addressed, as well as those of a host of players currently on loan from the club who are set to return.
READ SOUTHAMPTON VERDICT
This summer could be a tipping point for so many players at Southampton, as well as the manager and the side as a whole. How the Saints will look at the start of next season could be wholly different to now, and it is imperative that the squad is in a healthier position come August.
As for Gunn, with Alex McCarthy and Fraser Forster both stepping into the breach with assured performances this season, another year out on loan to hone his skills at Stoke seems the best option for all parties.
