Sky Sports pundit Kris Commons has claimed Celtic are hopeful of negotiating a permanent transfer for on-loan stopper Fraser Forster and that it would be a “blockbuster” signing for the Hoops.
Writing in the Daily Mail, the former Celtic forward believes a deal can be done and reveals that the previously believed stumbling block might not be as first thought.
So what has Commons said?
When asked about the potential of Forster extending his stay, Commons said:
“It would send shockwaves through Scottish football if Celtic could clinch a deal to sign Fraser Forster permanently. It would be a blockbuster signing and a huge statement of intent from the club. It should be a matter of urgency to get it done as soon as possible”.
“The stumbling block isn’t necessarily the transfer fee. Celtic have shown with the likes of Odsonne Edouard and Christopher Jullien that they don’t mind spending a few quid on the right player”.
“The issue has always been the fact that they just can’t match Forster’s basic wage at Southampton, which is in the region of £70,000 per week. But it’s my understanding that Celtic are hopeful of structuring a deal to make it happen”.
So is Commons correct?
While signing Forster would be a great bit of business, it would hardly be on the scale of Maurice Johnston moving to Rangers, Robbie Keane or Craig Bellamy to Celtic or Claudio Cannigia and Fabrizio Ravanelli to Dundee.
On paper, Forster is third choice goalkeeper to a club clinging to Premier League survival, this is the biggest issue facing Celtic in their attempts to strike a deal, not the wages or transfer fee. If the Saints are relegated and decide to cash in on Angus Gunn or Alex McCarthy, Forster would automatically regain his number 1 spot and still has two years to run on his current contract.
Commons has been a bit sensationalist by describing the potential move as a “blockbuster” or that it would send “shockwaves” through Scottish football, it would be more surprising if the Hoops didn’t secure The Wall’s permanent return given his status at Southampton and how much the player and Neil Lennon want to make it happen. There isn’t any urgency either, Forster is at the Hoops until the end of the season and the clubs have plenty of time to broker a deal.
Where will Forster be playing his football next season?
Celtic
Southampton
Whilst the pundit is right about the finances not being the biggest stumbling block, it does strike as an attempt at seeming to be “in the know” and curry favour with the Parkhead faithful, he has gone full tabloid rather than explaining the details of how the move could come about and how the odds are stacked firmly in Celtic’s favour to see Forster return for what would, technically, be his fifth spell at the club.