Bristol City and newly-promoted Wigan Athletic are targeting Northern Ireland international goalkeeper Michael McGovern, according to The Sun.
The 31-year-old shot-stopper rose to prominence during Northern Ireland’s sensational run to the knockout stages of the UEFA European Championship tournament being held in France.
McGovern, having only made eight appearances for his country prior to the tournament, dazzled fans with a string of sensational saves in Northern Ireland’s narrow 1-0 defeat to 2014 World Cup winners Germany. McGovern’s brave performance to prevent the score from ballooning ultimately proved crucial, as Northern Ireland would advance to the knockout stages on goal difference.
However, after his side’s disappointing defeat to Wales in the round of 16, McGovern returns to the UK unsure of where he’ll be plying his trade domestically in the 2016/17 season. The Northern Irishman is currently without a club, after his contract with Scottish Premiership side Hamilton Academical expired at the end of the 15/16 campaign.
Having spent his entire professional career in Scotland, McGovern could potentially make a move south of the border, with a host of English clubs eager to secure the starlet’s signature.
It appears McGovern won’t be joining clubs that cannot guarantee the 31-year-old a starting 11 spot, having already rejected a potential transfer to Premier League club Southampton, due to not wanting to sit behind The Saints’ current first choice keeper Fraser Forster.
Lee Johnson’s Bristol City are one club named as having taken an interest in McGovern, whom will be looking to build upon narrowly avoiding relegation from the Championship last season. However, a move to Ashton Gate could see McGovern find stern competition for the starting role with both Frank Fielding and Richard O’Donnell themselves vying for the number one keeper role with The Robins.
Another club targeting the highly-rated international are Gary Caldwell’s Wigan, The Latics hoping to build on their dominant run to the League One title last season. With The Latics’ first choice keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen now 41, Caldwell could be eyeing McGovern as the Finnish veteran’s ideal replacement heading into the future.
One player in particular that could persuade McGovern to make the switch to the DW Stadium is fellow Northern Irish international and social media sensation Will Grigg, who will be hoping to bounce back from the disappointment of not featuring in Michael O’Neill’s side during Euro 2016 by proving himself as a Championship quality striker in the upcoming season.
