The never-ending search for the new Leicester City manager is continuing to drag on.
At least Foxes fans now know it's down to two standout candidates, as they search for some crumbs of comfort in uncertain times.
Indeed, the choice for their new manager appears to be a toss-up between Russell Martin - who is the expected Gary Rowett replacement - and a wildcard second choice in Rene Hake, who was Manchester United assistant manager when Erik ten Hag was uncomfortably positioned in the Red Devils hot-seat.
If Martin is handed the vacancy, amid interest in his services also emerging from Burnley, he would surely be tempted to raid his former employers Southampton during the summer transfer window.
Martin could raid Southampton
The 40-year-old has been known to go back to his ex-sides when it comes to transfer incomings throughout his up-and-down managerial career to date.
Harry Darling would line up for him at both Milton Keynes Dons and Swansea City, while Ryan Manning would also follow Martin to Southampton in 2023, having run down his contract in Wales under the Scotsman's reign.
It wouldn't be far-fetched to suggest, therefore, that Martin would go down this route again, with Will Smallbone a potentially shrewd pick-up, having once scored seven goals in a single season for the 40-year-old when their paths crossed at St. Mary's.
Just released by Southampton, Smallbone might favour a reunion to reignite his playing days.
Alongside the one-time Millwall loanee possibly seeking out a move to the Midlands to link back up with Martin, the EFL-experienced boss would also surely love for this other switch to take place, for another of his past favourites on the South Coast.
Indeed, with reports suggesting that Jakub Stolarczyk could be off this off-season, a new goalkeeper will be needed, with Gavin Bazunu perhaps just the man that's required.
Signing Gavin Bazunu would make sense
The Irishman has played under a whole host of managers at Southampton, from the end times of Ralph Hasenhuttl, to the controversy-strewn stint of Tonda Eckert that is currently playing out.
He arguably excelled the most on the South Coast under Martin's watchful eye, though, with 11 clean sheets tallied up from 41 outings under the Scotsman. To add more damning context, he has just a measly two clean sheets under Eckert's reign to date.
Having fallen out of favour at Southampton in recent times, with a Stoke City loan agreed mid-way through the 2025/26 season, it wouldn't be a wild suggestion that the Saints would be willing to offload Bazunu this summer, with Leicester perhaps ready to swoop in.
Last time he competed at League One level, he also stood out as an agile stopper, with 16 clean sheets amassed during the 2021/22 season when lining up for Southampton's arch nemesis, Portsmouth.
Jacek Kulig, who is a football talent scout, would even refer to the ex-Manchester City academy product as the "Irish Wall" when he last competed in the third tier.
If Leicester were to lose Stolarczyk, Martin would be scrambling for a keeper he can trust, if he was also appointed as the Foxes' new manager, and Bazunu ticks all the boxes.
The summer transfer window will be a very busy one for the relegated side, you imagine, as Leicester tries to leap straight back into the Championship.
With Bazunu in between the sticks, a promotion challenge could be on the cards.
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