CELTIC are allegedly facing a battle for Fraser Forster’s signature from a top-four Premier League club as Southampton prepare to offload the goalkeeper. The 32-year-old was a standout performer for Celtic as Neil Lennon’s side won 9IAR. Although Forster’s heroics in the Betfred Cup and various other performances proved his worth to the club as well as cementing him as a must sign ahead of 10IAR.

The Daily Record are reporting that Celtic will be rivalled by an unnamed Premier League outfit who have placed the keeper on a four-man shortlist for goalkeeping replacement.

Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl is keen to sell with Forster third choice behind Alex McCarthy and Angus Gunn. The Saints recently posted a £41m loss meaning that they will want to get the big wages of Forster off the books this summer.

Fraser Forster has enjoyed a spectacular return to form since returning ‘home’ to Celtic on loan from the south coast of England. But any potential move will be jeopardised by the wages that Forster is contracted to at St Mary’s. Since he returned, he has proven himself to be Celtic’s number one and has made some incredible performances for Neil Lennon’s side as they target more domestic success.

Forster is on a reported £70k-a-week and whilst he can sit out the remainder of his contract on the periphery of first team affairs with the Saints, he has already said he is keen to stay at Celtic.

Forster worked to become a £10m player, representing England and breaking records in Scotland between the sticks. Forster spent two seasons on loan at Celtic before a permanent switch to the Scottish Champions after Alan Pardew saw him as surplus to requirements. Forster progressed from a lanky youngster who’s kicking was poor to a dominating, physical Internationalist that was one of the standout goalkeepers in English football for a couple of seasons.

In 2012 he was the man that foiled Barcelona as the Catalan side left Glasgow empty-handed. He set a new Scottish record for the amount of time without conceding a goal and was a colossus in Celtic’s goal. His performances were that good that the Premier League move was inevitable – in 2014, Southampton paid £10m to sign Forster.

Morning all, another day begins. Here's big Fraser demonstrating why he'd be first on my permanent signing list… pic.twitter.com/DUxO9OyIFQ

— Lisbon Lion (@tirnaog09) June 9, 2020