Media reports are saying that Saints had scouts watching the game between Molde and Stromgodset last week and their target was Molde's goalkeeper.

The goalkeeper in question is Orjan Nyland.

Nyland has been a long term target of Everton who have watched him from a young age and invited him to train at Goodison Park as far ago as 2008 when he was a raw 18 year old, that didn't move much further and Nyland joined Molde in 2013 after learning his trade at another Norwegian club Hadd.

Since then he has made steady progress not only becoming the number 1 keeper at Molde but also breaking in to the Norwegian International side for whom he has made 11 appearances so far.

Everton have always kept an eye on him though and they have often watched him this season with it being common knowledge that they see him as a long term replacement for Tim Howard.

But it is believed that Saints could be ready to hijack that move and that the lure of immediate first team football at St Mary's whilst Fraser Forster recovers from his injury could be appealing to Nyland himself rather than the option of sitting on the bench at Everton.

Saints are reportably willing to match his buy ot clause of £2.2 million and that has jumped them to the head of the queue.

It looks like there will be major upheaval in the goalkeeping department at Saints next season and just what type of keeper Saints sign would perhaps see the writing on the wall for both Paulo Gazzaniga and Cody Cropper, if the club were to go for the likes of Nyland a young up and coming keeper with the prospect of eventually replacing Forster then that could mean that long term neither Gazzaniga or Cropper have a future at the club past the end of next season when hopefully Forster will be fit again.

However if the club were to sign an experienced older pro who would be a short term fix rather than long term then it could mean that the club has faith in the ability of either of its young keepers to come good eventually.

Photo: Action Images

arthurfane added 10:08 - May 5 Haven't seen him play, but sounds like a great prospect. Again, a little in the dark about what Cropper can do, but (despite his reported progress this season) I don't think Gazzaniga has a future at this club sadly. Likewise, I think Forster's injury has given Kelvin a chance of a swansong at Saints, but think he should hang his gloves up at the end of the season. Would make an excellent addition to the coaching set up though, either as another GK coach, or in some other capacity - he is Saints FC through and through! All this means that YES we do need to sign a goalkeeper . . . if the club choose to sign Nyland and think he's good enough, then I have every expectation he'll be a hit. COYS

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