FRASER FORSTER will return to Southampton in order to discuss his future with Saints boss Ralph Hassenhuttl as the 32-year-old hopes for a Celtic return this summer.
According to the Scottish Sun, Forster will return to the Premier League club in order to broker his departure with a move to Celtic firmly in his sights. However, Southampton will know that Celtic are desperate to re-sign the England internationalist having allowed Craig Gordon to leave the club yesterday.
Forster’s deal expires today after beginning pre-season preparations with the Scottish Champions. Whilst he will be hoping for a return to the club, his future is out of his hands and now with Celtic and Southampton needing to agree a deal in order for him to return.
Forster left Celtic back in 2014 for Southampton in a £10m move but rejoined Neil Lennon’s side last August in a loan deal. The 32-year-old impressed with his performances and propelled himself to the top of the transfer target list for the club.
Last week, it was reported that Celtic wanted a permanent deal for Forster; although a loan deal with an option to buy could still work out for both parties, providing Celtic take a bigger share in the wages.
With wages reported at £70k-per-week, that will be a huge stumbling block for Celtic but the Saints will want the high-earner to leave the club whilst maximising his value to them. With two years remaining on his contract, Forster can use that as a bargaining chip in order to force a move to Celtic but only if Celtic stump up the cash to make him a top earner. Southampton owe him two more years at an eye-watering at £3.64m per year before tax.
Hopefully the talks result in The Great Wall returning to the Scottish Champions as we go for 10IAR.
