Burnley are circling around Southampton's keeping target Martin Dubravka and a materialised move will leave Francis Benali's transfer aspiration on the brink of not happening.
While Southampton were trading goalscoring blows with Brighton, rarely playing keeper Joe Lumley was enjoying an action-less weekend with Bristol City. Like a flashback to his old Saints days, the 30-year-old remained a spectator in the home side's camp and called it a day with a four-goal thumping win.
Now, Lumley didn't had to contribute anything as their go-to Number one handled things flawlessly. Overall, it was a stress-free occasion all around and in the worst case also, Lumley would have locked in some playing time, meaning there wasn't anything to lose for him or Bristol.
A spot-on textbook example of why Francis Benali laid emphasis on a Lumley profile, fully knowing much wouldn't be asked of him. For the rare outing he gets, the ex-Saints veteran can be counted on to avoid shipping in more than one goal, which is a good return nonetheless.
Dubravka was closest to Lumley but can drift away from the Saints
Among the names brought up in Southampton discussions, Newcastle United's Martin Dubravka can be that role player. Or more like, the latter is in need of that specific gig as his last-choice status at the Magpies can be up in the air too.
That means the Saints have some less heavy lifting to do here, until they realise a Premier League rival isn't making things smoother.
As quoted by Sky Sports: "Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka had emerged as the primary target for Burnley."
Not to undermine Southampton, but it's just give up time for them with the way Burnley's August has kick-started on the signings front. The Clarets hold the control with their top-flight lure and signing-driven momentum, leaving Benali's Lumley-like wishes hanging by a thread.