Southampton: Saints eyeing €10m transfer for goalkeeper from Spain

Southampton have been credited with an interest in Alaves goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco, who is valued at around €10m.

This is according to Spanish news outlet El Gol Digital, who report that Leeds and Saints are looking to sign the 28-year-old from his current La Liga employers.

Pacheco has been with Alaves since 2015 and arrived there after coming through Real Madrid’s youth system. He made just two senior appearances for Madrid but has gone on to play 208 times for Alaves.

Playing for a smaller club in the Spanish top-flight has seen Pacheco stand-out and build a reputation as a strong shot-stopper. Although he may have to adjust to more physical treatment of goalkeepers in England, his solid abilities in other departments may see him become a good fit in the Premier League.

Southampton unlikely to make any goalkeeper changes soon

It remains to be seen what Saints decide to do this summer in terms of their goalkeeping options.

Both Alex McCarthy and Fraser Forster have switched in and out of the team at different points this season and both provide good attributes to a club of Saints’ size that is unable to get the very best players.

More from Saints Marching

• Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 2: Arrivals
• Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 1: Departures
• It’s time to talk about Gavin Bazunu
• Rain clouds on the horizon? Southampton beat Plymouth Argyle
• A lament for Southampton legend James Ward-Prowse

Interestingly, both McCarthy and Forster have contracts that expire in June 2022, meaning that they will be able to negotiate with other clubs if they do not sign new terms before this coming June.

Given that it is an area of the squad that does not need the most work, it is unlikely that things will change going into 2021/22. Forster looks to have moves slightly ahead of McCarthy in terms of being a first-choice pick, but McCarthy was certainly the number one at the beginning of this campaign.

According to Hampshire Live too, McCarthy is also reportedly in negotiations with Saints over a new deal.

Angus Gunn is also still a player at the club but has extended his loan spell at Championship side Stoke City until the end of next season, meaning that he is able to develop his game away from the club at the minute with time still very much on his side.

El Gol Digital’s report would seem to suggest that Leeds are the most likely option for Pacheco given that Kiko Casilla has failed to impress those at Elland Road so far.