Portsmouth loanee Gavin Bazunu is aiming to play regularly in the Premier League next season whether that's with parent club Manchester City or another team according to The Sun, despite plying his trade in the third tier this term.

The 19-year-old, who has already established himself as a Republic of Ireland international, has been with Pep Guardiola's side since 2019 and spent last season on loan with Rochdale.

Despite suffering relegation with the Greater Manchester outfit, he arguably upgraded to Portsmouth on another season-long loan spell this season and has impressed at Fratton Park so far as he continues to make his mark in League One.

Remarkably, he has made as many as seven Republic of Ireland caps since his debut in March this year, saving a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty last month against Portugal and keeping a clean sheet in last night's 3-0 win against Azerbaijan.

At just 19 years old, he is well on his way to becoming a Premier League player after starting his career with Shamrock Rovers, but may find it difficult to get past the likes of Ederson and Zack Steffan for the time being.

In preparation for next term, City are already reportedly thinking of sending him out on loan to a Championship club for the 2022/23 season, but Bazuna has other ideas.

As per the same report from The Sun, the Irishman is aiming to play Premier League football next term, but it remains to be seen whether he can achieve that target, even if he can remain consistent and continue to cut out unforced errors.

The Verdict:

With Scott Carson potentially reaching the final stages of his playing career, the teenager could potentially be utilised as a third choice at the Etihad Stadium next season but that would probably be a waste of time for the 19-year-old who will want to be playing.

He will not only wish to be playing because it will allow him to continue his development as a promising young goalkeeper, but a lack of first-team football could be detrimental to his international prospects.

After working so hard to force his way into the senior international setup as a teenager, he will be desperate to keep his place and a starting spot in the Premier League will only help to solidify his place there, most likely away from Manchester City with Pep Guardiola perhaps reluctant to throw him in as first choice and Ederson likely to remain as number one.

However, if there's a choice between starting in the Championship and playing semi-regularly in the Premier League, playing each week in the second tier has to be the best option for his career considering the fact he's only in League One now. The step up from the third tier to the second is bigger than he or others may think.

So whilst he has the potential to play in the Premier League and will probably end up there in the next couple of years, he may be best served by following his parent club's advice and going to the Championship.

There's also plenty of the season left to go at Portsmouth, so the short-term has to be his focus at this moment in time. Any lack of concentration is likely to be punished.