ALAN NIXON took to Twitter earlier this week to confirm that Celtic are still working on bringing Fraser Forster back to Celtic Park ahead of the 10IAR season. The Scottish Champions are currently in Loughborough continuing pre-season preparations but behind the seasons attempts are being made to secure Forster.
The highly-respected journalist tweeted that Celtic were engaged in the usual haggling as they try and thrash out a deal for the 32-year-old. Celtic CEO Peter Lawwell is renowned for his hard bargaining and in the times of financial difficulty, it is applauded but the club need to get a deal together to sign Forster.
Still working on it. Usual haggling. He is the one they really want. https://t.co/P4buPzKXyO
— Alan Nixon (@reluctantnicko) July 8, 2020
Neil Lennon gave an update before the trip to Loughborough to say that the ball was very much in the court of the goalkeeper but was coy on whether he was confident in securing the services of the Englishman.
Forster was unwilling to return should it be a temporary move and would rather remain at Southampton if this is the only alternative but appears to still be in favour of a Celtic permanent move.
Earlier in the week, Darrell Currie suggested that the deal to sign Forster was on and that the club would try and get their main man. With both Currie and Nixon agreeing that the talks are ongoing, it will be a nervous wait to see if the big man becomes a Celtic player or if we have to cast our net further afield in the hope of catching a new first choice keeper.
Lots of angry people out there today. Blocked a fair few. Twitter at it’s best.
Forster to Celtic still on btw.— Darrell Currie (@darrellcurrietv) July 6, 2020
Fees remain an issue for Celtic as the COVID-19 pandemic has struck a major blow to finances of all clubs but the elephant in the room is no doubt a fee and wages for Forster, which we imagine Nixon is referring to when he suggests haggling.
The Englishman is on a reported £90k-per-week and Celtic would need to pay £5m on top of that as well as making him one of the club’s top earners. A deal could yet be done but Celtic if Fraser Forster is to return to the club, it will be on a permanent basis and the club need to pay up for his services.
