There were high hopes when Southampton signed Angus Gunn from Manchester City in 2018 but, unfortunately for the goalkeeper, things have never really worked out for him at St Mary's.
After conceding 52 goals in his first 30 appearances for the south coast club, he was allowed to join Championship side Stoke City on loan for the 2020/21 season.
Other than a spell out injured with an ankle injury between November and January, the former Norwich City loanee has been very much first-choice in Michael O'Neill's side so far this season, making 17 appearances and conceding 23 goals, keeping seven clean sheets.
It seems as if the 25-year-old has impressed during his spell with the Potters, as it has now been reported that they will exercise their option to re-sign the 'keeper on loan for the 2021/22 season. That is according to Hampshire Live journalist Tom Leach, who suggested that Gunn has already agreed to stay with Stoke on loan again next season, although the details are yet to be finalised.
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Considering that Hasenhuttl has Fraser Forster and Alex McCarthy competing for a starting spot in his side, it seems unlikely that Gunn will be a regular again at Southampton any time soon, so it seems surprising that CEO Martin Semmens is willing to see him spend another season on loan when surely they would be better off looking for a permanent buyer.
The 25-year-old is contracted with Southampton until 2023, so his market value will only likely continue to decrease next season as he edges closer to his contract expiry, so you could definitely argue that Semmens is making a mistake by letting him re-join Stoke on loan.
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It is almost guaranteed that Southampton will make a significant loss on Gunn, having spent £13.5m to bring him in from Man City, as he is now valued at just £2.7m by Transfermarkt. The Saints should just cut their losses on him and get rid of him permanently at the earliest opportunity rather than risk losing him for nothing in a couple of years.
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