Southampton are reportedly considering a move for a player who could help resolve a problem position.
Russell Martin will be identifying the key areas to improve his Southampton side ahead of their return to the Premier League.
Whilst the Saints boss will want to put his faith in a number of the players that secured promotion via the play-offs, he will know additions are needed ahead of the 2024/25 season.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis has already become the first signing of the summer following a successful loan spell – the club paying Manchester City £20 million for his services – whilst Ryan Fraser could soon be the second.
Now, latest reports from Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio suggest Southampton are eyeing up a move for a goalkeeper that has just won a league title.
Southampton targeting Dominik Kotarski but face competition
Gavin Bazunu had been the undisputed first choice goalkeeper since Martin arrived last summer, but an achilles injury in April saw him miss the end of the campaign.
Veteran stopper Alex McCarthy stepped up in his absence to help Southampton to play-off success but faces an uncertain future with his contract set to expire this summer.
With Bazunu potentially missing until 2025, Southampton will need to sign a goalkeeper regardless of whether McCarthy stays or not.
According to GianlucaDiMarzio.com, Southampton are interested in PAOK number one Dominik Kotarski and will challenge the likes of Parma and Inter Milan for his services.
The Greek champions are said to value the Croatian ‘keeper at around £8.5 million, which could see Parma priced put of a move.
Inter would only be signing the 24-year-old as back-up, so the opportunity to be a Premier League starter could interest Kotarski.
Kotarski has shown he is capable of beating Premier League finest
It is no surprise that Southampton are keen on signing Kotarski given he conceded just 28 goals in 34 Greek top flight games as PAOK won the league last season.
Kotarski has one senior Croatia cap but missed out on Zlatko Dalic’s squad for this summer’s European Championships.
However, he does have international experience playing against some of the Premier League’s finest players, having kept goal for Croatia under-21s in their 2-1 victory over their England peers in March 2023.
Sofascore rated Kotarski as the best performer on the pitch that night, with an eight out of ten display in which he made eight saves; only conceding from a Morgan Gibbs-White penalty.
The 6 foot 3 Croatian made saves from the likes of Cole Palmer and Curtis Jones as he impressed in the win over an England side also containing Noni Madueke, Rico Lewis and Jacob Ramsey.
If Southampton can beat the competition to sign Kotarski, they may just have the solution to their goalkeeper problem.