It’s looking set to be an exodus of goalkeepers next season for Southampton.
Following the club’s failure to win promotion to the Premier League, loan signing Daniel Peretz is unlikely to return for the 2026/27 campaign.Â
Additionally, veteran backup goalkeepers Jamie Jones and Alex McCarthy are out of contract.
This leaves just Gavin Bazunu as the only shot-stopper at Southampton with any first-team experience, but the last thing the club should be looking to do now is hand the Irishman the number one spot. Aaron Ramsdale will also return, but his wages won’t be feasible in the second tier.
The club is making moves, despite the silence following Spygate drama. 23-year-old goalkeeper Ollie Wright, who won both manager and players’ player of the season at League Two Accrington Stanley, has been handed a new contract extension.
The Wright man for the job
Southampton have activated their option to extend goalkeeper Ollie Wright’s contract by a year until 2027, according to Daily Echo sports reporter Alfie House on X.
It comes after a successful season out on loan in League Two, where Wright played 43 times in the fourth tier for Accrington Stanley, keeping 12 clean sheets along the way.
The numbers behind his name are certainly impressive - Wright managed a 70% save percentage (just shy of Daniel Peretz’s record at Southampton), and saved three of five penalties which came his way.
With the goalkeeping department facing huge turnover, Ollie Wright could be one of the players to stick around next season at Southampton.
The next Saints shot-stopper
As it stands, Aaron Ramsdale, Gavin Bazunu, young academy graduate Dylan Moody, and Ollie Wright will be Southampton’s goalkeepers next season.
Clearly, recruitment for this position will be required, though Saints will be dreaming that Daniel Peretz will offer his services back to the club, who have an option to buy the Israeli for £7m. It would be worth every penny.
Southampton are clearly hopeful that Ollie Wright can make the step up to Championship football, be it this season or the one after another loan. But if no signings are made, Wright is set to play as backup next campaign.
Losing out on promotion to the Premier League was a huge blow for the Saints, who would have had the pick between Ramsdale and Peretz.
For now, it’s back to reality - their next steps in this department are unclear.
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