Saints are about to sign a back up keeper to Fraser Forster from Crystal Palace according to latest media reports.

Saints are about to sign Alex McCarthy from Crystal Palace for a fee of £2 million according to reports in the media.

McCarthy who is 26 has a plethora of experience, he played for Reading from 2007 till 2014 making 70 appearances but spending a lot of time out on loan and then joining QPR newly promoted back to the Premier League in 2014, he only managed 3 appearances though and joined Palace last summer for a fee reported to be £3.5 million.

Although he started the season in Palace's goal, playing the opening 6 games he then found himself vying for the keepers spot on the bench with Speroni and played only 1 more game that season in the Premier league and making no other appearances.

Now with Palace having signed French International Steve Mandanda, McCarthy is surplus to requirements at Selhurst Park and is likely to join Saints for a cut price fee if rumours are true.

This would give Saints back up to Forster and allow them to send out Paulo Gazzaniga on loan to get experience and confidence.

Many Saints fans though would question McCarthy's ability and would have preferred a more experienced back up at this level, although he has played 145 League games in his career only 23 of them have been in the Premier League, perhaps he does have potential, but he has yet to realise it properly having only spent two seasons as first choice at a club, the first on loan at Yeovil in 2009/10 when he played against Saints and the second in 2013/14 when his form in the Championship earned his move to QPR

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terrybaron added 09:46 - Jul 27 Would have thought the Northern Ireland keeper Michael McGovern would be a better choice, he is a free agent, no club and out of contract. Michael wad outstanding in the Euro's.
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SaintBen added 09:57 - Jul 27 I suppose it all depends on whether a Keeper is happy to play 2nd fiddle... I agree McGovern played out of his skin at the Euro's, and if the rumours are true then we approached him... It may just be a case that he wants to be 1st choice and that means dropping to a lower level. Fraser is that good, that signing for Saints almost guarantees you'll be on the bench every weekend...

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Jesus_02 added 10:20 - Jul 27 We should never got rid of Bart TBH. Its going to be difficult to attract a Keeper with FF incumbent. We need to get an old head in TBH. It may seem like a waste of money but if FF gets injured again we are in it deep
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highfield49 added 10:22 - Jul 27 Whatever the outcome of this rumour I can't believe that Saints would even consider McCarthy unless Dave Watson had given full approval. Sounds to me like a considered decision not a panic buy.
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IWOZTHERE added 12:43 - Jul 27 I haven't watched McCarthy. I do agree about sending Gazz out on loan to get regular, meaningful playing time and confidence. I thought he was excellent when he came in for us last time, but I think he may be haunted by gremlins from his earlier appearances.
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Supasaint9 added 13:01 - Jul 27 McGovern has gone to Norwich
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