It always looked unlikely that Celtic would manage to keep hold of both of their loanees from Southampton after this season, and the current shutdown has probably impacted that too.
Any operation to sign Fraser Forster or Mohamed Elyounoussi looked like it would involve Premier League wages and a hefty transfer fee, so they would need to make a real difference on the pitch to justify that.
In some ways it did look like Elyounoussi could go on to be a superstar, he scored goals regularly and provided a real threat cutting in from the left flank, but an injury derailed everything.
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He missed a chunk of the season and didn’t get anywhere close to that great form again, so it always looked like a permanent move to Glasgow was slipping away.
It now looks like he’s headed back to Southampton, following a report from The Sun via Vital Football.
The Norwegian was talking about his future, and it seems clear that he wants to fight for a place at Southampton again next season:
“I still have three years left of the contract with Southampton. I want to show a better side of myself than what I have done.”
“I hope I can go back and fight for a place next season. But at the same time, I really want to finish the season at Celtic and win the league.”
“I’ve had injuries but it’s been a very nice time in Celtic, especially after how things were going in Southampton.It’s a very strange situation. The plan was a holiday in late May, before I meet for pre-season with Southampton. But now I don’t quite know what will happen.”
It will be interesting to see if he finds a way back into the team down south, because being loaned out after a big transfer usually means the club are ready to move on.
It’s not like he’s done enough at Celtic to show Southampton that they should be giving him another chance, but he will be fondly remembered for that first few months of the season.
INVINCIBLE by Matt Corr
The Celtic Star’s very own Matt Corr – who you may also know as a Tour Guide at Celtic Park – publishes his first Celtic book, titled INVINCIBLE – early next month. This beautiful hardback book will be the definitive story of Celtic’s magical2016-17 season – it truly is wonderful, a real joy to read, and brilliantly written by Matt.
If you have been reading Matt’s regular contributions on The Celtic Star or indeed in the Matchday Programme or in the Celtic View you will know just how talented a Celtic writer he is. The book is published by The Celtic Star and you can pre-order below.
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