da bet7： According to The Sun, Southampton could look to sign Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart this summer with the club fearing Fraser Forster could move on.
da leao： The British tabloid moot Everton as a potential next destination for the former Celtic man based on their own reports from the start of the season, and Ronald Koeman was known to be a big fan of Forster’s when he managed him at Saints.
If the 28-year-old does leave St Mary’s for Goodison Park, then Saints would be wise to replace him with fellow England international Hart.
The current Torino loanee would be tasked with helping the club push on for Europe again – something they look set to fail to qualify for this term as they currently lie in 10th position in the table.
After finishing in sixth last season – their best ever Premier League finish – it has been difficult for the south coast outfit to repeat the feat, largely due to their involvement in the group stages of the Europa League and their run to the EFL Cup final.
Here are THREE reasons replacing Forster with Hart could propel Southampton back into the top six…
He would be an upgrade on Forster
Forster has deservedly received a lot of plaudits for some of his performances and runs without conceding during his time at St Mary’s, but those have become less and less frequent this season.
The 28-year-old has largely struggled when it comes to the general attributes expected from a goalkeeper – think back to the Christian Benteke goal at Selhurst Park – while he hasn’t been commanding enough for a glovesman that stands at 6’7” tall.
Many Saints supporters see Hart as an upgrade on Forster, and they would expect less goals conceded and more saves made if the change was to occur next term.
He’s vocal and commanding
Despite his size, Forster appears to be something of a gentle giant and maybe it is time for Southampton to have someone a little more vocal between the sticks.
It is something that has been needed in recent weeks with the exit of Jose Fonte and injury to Virgil van Dijk, which has removed two of the loudest speakers from the backline.
Hart has certainly shown that he can be more of a leader than his England teammate, and his personality could help out a defence that has looked a lot less solid than it did last season.
He could help attract other big names
Hart may well have spent the season on loan at Serie A outfit Torino, but there is no doubt that if he did sign for Southampton, it would be a massive statement of intent from the club.
The addition of the 29-year-old would make everyone sit up and take notice, and perhaps finally remove the narrative of Saints only being a selling club every summer.
As well as potentially attracting other big names to St Mary’s, it may also convince the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Bertrand that it is worth staying on the south coast.