Cardiff City have earned an immediate return to the EFL Championship and now appear to be in a far stronger position to handle life back in the second tier than in previous years. Much of that progress has been driven by manager Brian Barry-Murphy, who has reshaped the club with a clear emphasis on youth development and greater trust in academy graduates already progressing through the system.
Because of that strategy, Cardiff were relatively quiet in the transfer market last summer. Only three new players arrived at the Cardiff City Stadium, but one of them has become one of the most influential figures of their promotion campaign. Goalkeeper Nathan Trott joined on loan from FC Copenhagen with an agreement that allowed Cardiff to sign him permanently for £1.5 million if promotion was secured.
Now that Cardiff have gone up, however, reports suggest the club are finding it difficult to convince Trott to commit to a permanent move. Losing a goalkeeper who has recorded one of the best clean-sheet tallies in EFL League One this season would be a significant setback. If negotiations continue to stall, Cardiff may need to quickly identify an alternative.
One possible replacement could be Gavin Bazunu of Southampton FC. Cardiff’s only permanent signing last summer was defender Gabriel Osho, who had experience in both the French top division and the Premier League after spells with Luton Town FC. Osho was seen as a player above League One level, but the chance to work again with Barry-Murphy was a major factor in his move.
The pair had previously worked together at Rochdale AFC during the 2020/21 campaign, when the team played attractive attacking football despite suffering relegation. Bazunu was also part of that Rochdale squad during a loan spell from Manchester City FC, meaning he too has a prior relationship with Barry-Murphy.
Bazunu was once considered one of the brightest young goalkeeping prospects in the game. He played a role in Southampton’s promotion-winning 2023/24 season after joining from Manchester City in a £12 million transfer two years earlier. Unfortunately, an Achilles injury late in that campaign ruled him out of the play-off final at Wembley Stadium and disrupted his momentum.
Since then, his progress has slowed. He lost his starting place to Daniel Peretz in January before being loaned to Stoke City FC, who reportedly hold an £8 million option to buy him. However, if first-choice keeper Viktor Johansson remains at the club once fit again, Stoke may be reluctant to spend that amount on a backup goalkeeper. That could result in Bazunu returning to Southampton and being made available for another move.
At only 24 years old, Bazunu still has plenty of time to rebuild his career and fulfil the promise many saw in him. A transfer to Cardiff could offer the ideal environment, especially under a coach known for improving young players and trusting them with responsibility.
The Irish goalkeeper looked rusty at times earlier this season after spending a long period out injured, aside from a brief spell with Standard Liège. His time at Stoke was also interrupted quickly by another injury setback. However, since returning from a thigh problem, he has started to regain match sharpness.
If Cardiff decide not to pursue Trott permanently, Bazunu could represent a smart alternative. With his market value lower than at any previous stage of his career, joining a newly promoted side and helping them remain in the Championship could be the perfect opportunity for him to restore confidence and rediscover the form that once convinced Southampton to invest £12 million in him.
