IRELAND'S NO 1 Gavin Bazunu could be heading to the Premier League next season.  

Bazunu having just finished his loan at Portsmouth from Manchester City could join Portsmouth's rivals Southampton in a deal that would exceed £10 million. 

Reports from Athletic emerged yesterday that the 20-year-old could replace the departed Fraser Forster, who left for Tottenham Hotspur on a free transfer this week. 

The former Shamrock Rovers keeper has won 10 international caps for his country and has also won Portsmouth's player of the season award. 

He also kept 16 clean sheets, just narrowly falling short of the golden glove in League One in a stellar season for the club.

The outlet also report that Rovers would receive a sum of about seven figures after the Dublin club agreed to sell-on clauses in the original deal with Manchester City. 

There has been speculation around Bazunu's future after his loan spell ended. The 20-year-old in May said: "I want to play football at the highest level, but don’t look too far ahead,” Bazunu told Portsmouth’s website. “I’ll just take it one day at a time and see where it takes me. 

“I have a massive respect for this squad and how they’ve welcomed me. It’s a great group of lads to play with.” 

It now alleged that Southampton and Premier League champions City have been in talks for two weeks with a deal close to completion coming sooner rather than later