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Football

22nd Jul 2016

Darren Randolph is wanted by Premier League side, but there’s just one problem

This would be a sideways move for him...

Robert Redmond

This would be a sideways move for him.

Reports earlier this month suggested that Darren Randolph would be free to leave West Ham if the club received a £3m bid for him.

The Republic of Ireland goalkeeper put in a series of composed displays at Euro 2016, impressing against France, in particular, as Martin O’Neill’s side reached the last-16 stage of the tournament.

Randolph was used as West Ham’s cup ‘keeper last season, acting as back-up to Adrian.

If he was to move, it would surely be for first-team football. Randolph is wanted by Southampton, according to the Southern Daily Echo.

However, there’s just one problem – the club want him as back-up to Saints’ first choice ‘keeper.

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The Saints are short of options for the position, following Kelvin Davies’ retirement and the end of Maarten Stekelenburg’s loan deal. Southampton only have Paulo Gazzaniga as cover for Fraser Forster

The paper report that new manager Claude Puel is looking to sign a new ‘keeper, and Randolph is rated highly by the club.

However, to move and be back-up to a goalkeeper who’s superior to the one currently keeping him out of the Hammers’ team would arguably be a sideways move for the 29-year-old at this stage of his career.

Randolph is currently on West Ham’s pre-season tour, and featured in a game in Austria on Tuesday evening.

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