Celtic’s double swoop could delight Tonda Eckert at Southampton

Celtic are poised to sign 24‑year‑old goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu and 23‑year‑old right‑back Yukinari Sugawara from Southampton, with the Scottish club reportedly ready to meet the Irishman’s £12 million fee and the Japanese defender’s £6 million price tag in a deal that could reshape both squads ahead of the September deadline.

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Why Celtic are targeting the duo

According to The Echo’s Alfie House, Celtic are keen on 24‑year‑old goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, while German outlet Absolut Fussball reports interest in 23‑year‑old right‑back Yukinari Sugawara. The Scottish club sees both players as solutions to squad gaps, even though PSV also vies for Sugawara.

Bazunu arrived at Southampton from Manchester City in the summer of 2022 for around £12 million but has fallen down the pecking order under Tonda Eckert, losing his place to Alex McCarthy. A loan spell at Stoke City yielded eight appearances before the Potters declined to trigger the buy option, and with his contract running until the summer of 2027, a sale now appears urgent for the Saints.

Sugawara joined Southampton in the summer of 2024 for about £6 million, made 30 Premier League appearances, and spent last season on loan at Werder Bremen, recording 31 league games and six assists. He is not in the first‑team plans at St Mary’s, making a permanent move to Celtic likely the only path to regular football.

For Southampton, offloading the two players would free up wages and generate roughly £18 million, helping Tonda Eckert rebuild a squad after a rocky start to the Championship campaign. Celtic would acquire a young international goalkeeper and a proven Bundesliga right‑back, bolstering their options as they aim to improve on recent performances. Eckert will be keeping his fingers crossed that Celtic can seal both deals.