Southampton: Saints “keeping tabs” on promising young goalkeeper

Southampton are reportedly targeting a summer move for West Brom goalkeeper Josh Griffiths, who has impressed in a loan spell with Cheltenham Town this season.

That is according to a report from Football Insider, who claim that Saints scouts were present at the League Two clash between Cheltenham and Carlisle recently.

Saints are certainly set for a big summer transfer window and it remains to be seen whether they will actively look to bring in a goalkeeper.

Griffiths has been a big part of a superb campaign for Cheltenham and has kept 21 clean sheets in 41 league appearances so far.

Southampton stances on Gunn and Lewis unclear

Alex McCarthy and Fraser Forster are currently battling for the number one shirt but the situation behind them suggests that a look towards the future by signing Griffiths would not be a bad idea.

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Third-choice goalkeeper for Saints right now is Harry Lewis, but has had made just three senior appearances for the club since joining from Shrewsbury Town back in 2015.

Angus Gunn was signed as a goalkeeper of great potential but has been shipped out on-loan to Stoke City to regain his confidence. He will spend next season with the Potters after agreeing to extend his temporary deal there.

Importantly, Lewis’ contract at St Mary’s runs out this summer – meaning that there could well be a vacant spot in the goalkeeping department for a signing too if the decision is made to move him on.

The club will be looking to the future and may even be looking at whether it is practical to have McCarthy and Forster both at the club beyond this season. Perhaps with Gunn and someone like Griffiths on the books, that future can be secured.

There will surely be other clubs also looking at the West Brom man though and the Baggies will also be wanting to keep their star prospect – potentially with the Championship in mind.