Glasgow Celtic will have to battle it out with a top-four English Premier League club in the transfer market in order to sign goalkeeper Fraser Forster according to the Daily Record.
The 32 year old spent the 2019-20 season on loan at Celtic Park where he was the first choice goalkeeper for manager Neil Lennon.
Lennon is seemingly keen to sign the England international on a permanent deal but will have to ward off interest from a top Premier League club, according to the latest report.
Forster has two years left on his contract with Southampton but he does not seem to be in the plans of Saints manager Ralph Hassenhuttl.
He fell behind Angus Gunn and Alex McCarthy in the pecking order at St. Mary’s and was subsequently loaned out at the start of this season.
The Saints are apparently cash strapped and want to lower the wage bill which includes offloading Forster.
The club paid £10 million for him when they signed him from Celtic in 2014 and are hoping to recoup some of that fee back this summer.
However, Celtic are discouraged by the presence of both a fee and a high wage for Forster and may decide to look elsewhere despite Lennon’s wishes.
The Scottish champions only have Scott Bain as backup in the goalkeeping position with Craig Gordon out of contract and Conor Hazard and Ross Doohan on loan in the Championship.
Former England shot stopper Paul Robinson believes Forster is getting unfair treatment from Southampton.
“Southampton have unfairly priced him out of a deal at the moment,” said Robinson, speaking to Football Insider.
“We are talking about a player who has not been anywhere near the first team squad in 12-18 months. He was surplus to requirements.
“He has gone to Celtic and rejuvenated his career and now looks like a top class goalkeeper again.”
It remains to be seen what Forster wants to do as he may feel he is due another chance at Southampton or he may even be happy to move to the interested top four club in the Premier League.
