Why Southampton must make a move for Toby Savin
According to Football Insider (h/t Hampshire Live), Southampton are lining up a move for Accrington Stanley goalkeeper Toby Savin ahead of the January transfer window.
The Saints are lining up a move for the 20-year-old amidst speculations that current second-choice goalkeeper Fraser Forster, who hasn’t played at all this season, could be on his way to Scottish champions Celtic in January. (h/t Hampshire Live)
Profile
The 20-year-old Savin started out at the academy of Wigan Athletic and spent time at Everton and Crewe Alexandra before joining the youth setup of Accrington Stanley in 2017.
Having featured just twice for the club’s U-18s, the youngster was fast-tracked into the senior team this year, making his debut in September last year in an EFL Trophy game against Fleetwood Town. He featured just two times in 2019/20.
This season, however, Savin has been the first-choice in goal for the League One club, racking up 17 appearances across all competitions, in which he has conceded 19 goals – at more than one goal per game on an average while securing seven clean sheets. (h/t Transfermarkt)
Savin – one for the future for Southampton
Southampton went into the season with Alex McCarthy as their first-choice goalkeeper. The Saints allowed Angus Gunn to leave on loan for the season, installing Fraser Forster, who had returned from a loan spell at Celtic, as the backup for McCarthy in the first-team.
However, Forster hasn’t been used at all by manager Ralph Hasenhuttl this season. And with rumours floating around of a potential January transfer to Celtic for Forster, the south coast club would be left a goalkeeper short, should the move go through once the window is open.
So, signing someone like Savin, who is young and has shown good potential can be a good move for Southampton. The 20-year-old would be able to cover for McCarthy when needed.
And once Gunn returns from his current loan spell, the Saints can send the youngster out on loan to continue his development and reap the benefits in the longer run.
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Verdict
With Forster not a part of the manager’s plans and linked with a January switch to Celtic, Southampton would be forced into signing a new goalkeeper should that come to fruition.
And signing Savin, who is enjoying his breakthrough campaign at Accrington Stanley would not only allow them to bring in an able backup, but also represent a long-term investment for the club given his tender age.
