REPEATED reports continue to claim that Alex McCarthy has signed a new Saints deal despite no announcement from the club.

32-year-old McCarthy is one of four goalkeepers at the club with deals believed to expire at the end of the season, but The Athletic have again repeated claims that the former Reading youngster has already agreed terms on a new deal.

The news outlet initially reported back in August that Saints and McCarthy had agreed a new three-year deal, keeping the one-time England international at the club until the end of the 2024/25 season.

When asked by the Daily Echo about a new deal at the time of the original, McCarthy responded: "I haven’t really sort of thought about that much.

"My main focus is on playing as well as I can this season and helping the team as much as possible. That hasn’t really come across my head at the moment.

"Obviously when that situation arises I’ll deal with it then. But for the time being, I’m just happy playing football."

Fraser Forster has staked a claim for a new deal with his recent performances since returning from injury, but it remains to be seen if he keeps his starting spot when McCarthy returns from injury.

News of a deal for McCarthy could potentially be a bad sign for current number one Forster, with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s previous comments on the goalkeeping situation indicating that only one of McCarthy and Forster will remain at the club beyond the end of the season.

Back in August, Hasenhuttl stated: "We will definitely extend the contract for one keeper and then maybe the other one will then leave.

"Because I think in the future we will try to get a new one in also. Next season this is maybe a topic, but there is still a long way to go to that point."

It is unclear whether Saints are aiming to bring in a starting goalkeeper this season or as back-up for McCarthy.

Saints have long been linked with West Brom’s Sam Johnstone, who will also be a free-agent at the end of the year, as well as current Manchester United deputy Dean Henderson.

Out of Saints’ current goalkeeping stable, three of the four ‘keepers in the first team picture are over the age of 30.

Whilst most goalkeepers hit their prime around that age, there is concern that Saints have no younger shotstoppers ready to step up, with 24-year-old Harry Lewis almost certainly heading out the door this summer.

In light of Saints’ goalkeeping headache, we’ve put the question of who should remain at the club next year to our readers. You can vote by clicking this link.