It still remains to be seen how the financial loss from the Coronavirus crisis will affect the transfer market this Summer, as clubs could choose to go one of two ways.
Clearly money will need to be saved, so they can take the reasonable approach and allow fringe players to leave for a reduced price, in the knowledge they will save on their wages and that will help the club going forward.
Alternatively they could just dig their heels in and gamble on squeezing every last penny from a transfer fee, but that could backfire and hurt the player and the club.
READ MORE: “I’d have regretted it”: Former Celtic midfielder on why he chose to leave Parkhead for the Premier League
Judging by a report from Football Insider, former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson feels Southampton are taking that second approach when it comes to Fraser Forster.
The report claims that the English side are looking for around £10m to let him go, which would be a club record signing for Celtic.
Robinson had this to say about the matter:
“It is an unrealistic price tag put on him by Southampton. He is a player that was frozen out, not even in the squad and clearly was not wanted.”
“Credit to the player who has gone up and rejuvenated his career. He has played extremely well and got the number one shirt.”
“It seemed as if he had lost his desire at Southampton after signing that long-term deal. He barely played again.”
“But he has done really well at Celtic and he is key to a lot of what they have done this year. His performances have been excellent.”
“It is unfair on Celtic to ask them to pay £10million for a player who was not in the Southampton squad eight months ago. It is Southampton’s prerogative but it could price him out of a move to Celtic.”
Obviously if Celtic can find a way to keep him then that would be ideal, but it’s hard to make a case to pay that much for a 32 year old goalkeeper.
Perhaps Southampton are hoping for some Premier League interest that will allow them to cash in, but if they do want to sell and Celtic are the only option, then they will have to bring that price tag down.
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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