--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-06-09T18:33:21.124Z last_updated: 2026-06-09T06:00:00+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/leicester-city/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGVpY2VzdGVybWVyY3VyeS5jby51ay9zcG9ydC9mb290YmFsbC90cmFuc2Zlci1uZXdzL2xlaWNlc3Rlci1jaXR5LWdvYWxrZWVwZXItc3RvbGFyY3p5ay1iZWdvdmljLTExMDAzOTI0 --- # Leicester City Audit: Goalkeepers, Stolarczyk decision and Premier League option - **Source:** - **Published:** 9 Jun - **Club:** Leicester City - **Original URL:** https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/leicester-city-goalkeeper-stolarczyk-begovic-11003924 In part one of our five-part Leicester City audit series, we reviewed the managerial situation at the King Power Stadium. Since then, the wheels have started moving with Russell Martin emerging as a primary target. Former Manchester United assistant manager Rene Hake has been linked with the vacancy early this week, although it's growing increasingly likely that Martin will take over. But this part of the audit isn't about the change in the dug-out. Instead, our City correspondent Josh Holland will assess what the club has to sort out in goal for the 2026/27 campaign. It's an important position in the Leicester team, even more so if a manager like Martin comes in due to his style of play. So, let's begin with the goalkeepers currently at the club... Just like the case with the majority of teams in England, Leicester are flooded with options in goal. Currently speaking, they have three on their first-team books: Jakub Stolarczyk, Asmir Begovic and Fran Vieites. Both Stolarczyk and Vieites are contracted for a further year while Begovic's deal is due to expire at the end of this month. City confirmed in their released/retained list that the 38-year-old was in talks over an extension and it's understood that remains the case for now. In the Championship last season, Stolarczyk was the mainstay at No.1 with 38 appearances. Begovic played 12 times and Vieites didn't play a single minute. It's a position that split opinion throughout the campaign. Stolarczyk's shot-stopping came under criticism during Leicester's horrid run without a clean sheet, with Begovic also unable to keep the ball out of the back of the net. In reserve, featuring for the Under-21s, both Stevie Bausor and Harry French, both 20, have been offered new contracts this summer. Jake Donohue will leave the club at the end of the month. On paper right now, it's tough to make a decision on what Leicester should do. Stolarczyk is more than capable of starting 46 games in League One and being a successful one at that. In reserve, if he commits for a further year, Begovic is also a fair option. However, there are three factors that will have to be considered. First up, a new manager will have his own idea of the sort of role required from his No.1. Take Martin for example, his principles are solely based around playing with the ball from back to front. Stolarczyk isn't perfectly comfortable with that side of things. For Martin, or whoever comes in, to be successful then the right profiles will need to be supplied. Furthermore, interest from Poland has already been reported for the 25-year-old. With the goalkeeper's possible preference to not fancy a league in the third tier, his nine-year spell in LE2 could come to an end this summer. Begovic is a worthwhile No.2, but his error in the 2-2 draw against Hull City is a reminder of his inability to contribute to stages of possession. So a new No.1 will be needed... We'll look at three different options here. A primary far-fetched goalkeeper, a possible loan from the Premier League and proven-shot-stopper. Starting with Gavin Bazunu. The 24-year-old would be a catch for City in League One but his career is currently at a crossroads. After starting last term as Southampton's number one, he was replaced by Daniel Peretz and loaned to Stoke City. Of course, the reason this move would make sense is the fact that Bazunu worked with Martin during their time at St. Mary's. The Ireland international is used to the 40-year-old's style of play and will be desperate to become a first-choice goalkeeper. Back in 2024, Martin was questioned about his decision to stick with Bazunu and the then-Saints boss came to his goalkeeper's defence. "We don't have a problem with the goalkeeper," he answered when asked for reassurances that he would address the spine of his team. "We have a full international – he’s 20 years old. He will take unbelievable lessons from last year playing in a team that finished bottom of the Premier League. That’s definitely not easy for a young goalkeeper. I’ve been made aware of this narrative around Gav. “He will be one of the best goalkeepers in the division. For how we want to play, if I was going to look at a goalkeeper, I would want to go and sign Gavin Bazunu." Does Bazunu like that side of the game? "I have always been good with the ball at my feet," he told The Telegraph. "The manager has given me the opportunity to be even more influential. He just tells me to stay brave. I love to be brave. I love to take risks in the right way. Risks are always going to be part of the game, especially as a goalkeeper. “Every day we are training to do the same thing in tighter spaces. Every day we are doing something to do with our feet. And, in training, it’s harder than when we are playing. At times we are stepping out there and it feels easy compared to what we are used to. We know we have the backing and the trust of the people on the sidelines. “The most important thing is [still] to be a good shot stopper … to keep the ball out of the net and then that distribution and calmness comes as an extra. You have to perfect that side of the game as well.” Let's see if Martin goes and says that to the Leicester recruitment team if he gets the job. Now, the loan signing. Matty Young has been mentioned as a possible target for the Foxes already this summer following his two-year loan in League Two with Salford City. The Sunderland goalkeeper signed a new contract at the Stadium of Light recently and another temporary exit to extend his development is anticipated. Young kept 15 clean sheets in League Two last year and earned glowing praise for his displays for the Ammies. The downfall of a loan move means the likelihood of being in the same position next season is high and you're developing another club's player. Players like Tommy Setford and Teddy Sharman-Lowe could also be players they consider from the Premier League. In an ideal world, a goalkeeper with a proven record of being a first-choice goalkeeper would arrive. Andy Fisher was Martin's goalkeeper at Swansea and MK Dons, so the 28-year-old would make sense. Charlie Setford, who was on loan at MK Dons from Ajax last term, is another option that could be under consideration. The 22-year-old has come through the successful youth academy at Ajax, where they focus heavily on ball distribution and playing out from the back. Being in League One means the Foxes could offer the No.1 shirt to a second-choice elsewhere. Take Dillon Phillips at Hull City, the 30-year-old played just one game last season having signed from Rotherham United - where he played 33 times in the third-tier the season prior. Whoever the club decides to target, an emphasis will be on landing on one that suits how the manager wants to play. That is essential for a successful team. The lack of a prolific shot-stopper is something that has hurt Leicester since Kasper Schmeichel left out of the blue in 2022. Mads Hermansen was actually better-suited at playing like an outfield player, but he was certainly the best they've had. Our verdict here comes on the basis that Martin will be in charge, purely based off what we have heard in the last few days. With that being said, City need to sign a goalkeeper who can play out, resist pressure and save shots when required. For me, Bazunu would be perfect. The former Manchester City academy star knows Martin and would be an absolute catch at this level. Behind him, because it would be a huge surprise to sign a Championship goalkeeper, would have to be a young up-and-coming goalkeeper on loan. If there's a world that the club decides to not dip into that market and entrust Stolarczyk for another season, that would not be the worst thing in the world. Again, fans may get bored of hearing this, but that decision should be aligned with the manager and hierarchy. Do you think the Foxes need to make a change in goal for next season? Tell us HERE...