Celtic could be set to benefit from one Premier League club’s financial difficulties as a report claims that Southampton are looking for a buyer as soon as possible to avoid having to sell a host of players with them “leaking money” in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Scottish Sun reports that Fraser Forster and Mohamed Elyounoussi could make a quicker than expected return to Parkhead after Neil Lennon confirmed that he is hoping to have them back up the road having impressed in his side’s title triumph.
It had been thought that the pair would still command significant transfer fees but with the latest news plus the rumour that the Saints are interested in taking Olivier Ntcham, Lennon and his recruitment team will want to get in fast and secure a potential bargain.
With both being fringe players at Southampton there remains just one stumbling block, the club may wish to sell more established first-team players who would bring in a bigger transfer fee to avoid a complete decimation of their squad.
Specifically, in Forster’s case, Angus Gunn and Alex McCarthy are both England internationals and younger than the Great Wall, the Saints will know that they could sell two players without weakening their first XI which will be key if they want to reduce costs but stay in the top flight.
Similarly, Elyounoussi could see himself propelled into the starting line-up if James Ward-Prowse, Nathan Redmond and Danny Ings are sold.
As with everything, the transfer market and financial status of football is currently up in the air but if Lennon can get in first, he could set the wheels in motion towards winning an unprecedented 10th successive title by securing the signatures of two of hist best performers last season.