Journalist Craig Swan has revealed that Celtic’s deal to sign Fraser Forster could still very much be on the cards.
Swan was recently present on the latest episode of the Record Celtic podcast and Celtic legend Chris Sutton was also a guest. The journalist provided some insight into the situation of Forster and whether he could still end up at Parkhead.
STV had recently reported that Forster has chosen to stay at Southampton and that he will fight for his place at the Premier League side.
While talking about Forster’s situation though, Swan revealed that there is still a chance that he ends up at Parkhead.
The journalist said: “I still wouldn’t give up on the fact that Fraser Forster might still come back. I remember when Kieran Tierney was leaving Celtic to go to Arsenal and one day it was on, and one day it was off, then it wasn’t happening and then it was happening. I don’t think anything definitive has come yet. I think there could always be room for negotiation in these things.”
Can Celtic still sign Forster?
Yes, I think so
No, that deal is dead
Swan also said that Celtic should start looking at other options, in case the Forster deal doesn’t work out. He said: “Celtic have to look at other options. Of course they do, because Fraser Forster might decide in the end he’s definitely not coming, and Ralph Hasenhuttl might say he’s the number one and he’s not coming back and Celtic will have to find someone else.
“They can’t just sit about and not look for anybody else or not explore avenues or not speak to clubs, or speak to agents and find out what it’s going to cost and find out what the packages will be to bring other people there.”
Swan seems confident that a lot of things can happen in the Forster deal and nothing is decided just yet. He also encourages the club to potentially look for effective alternatives, in case the Englishman doesn’t return this summer.
TIF Thoughts…
Apart from STV, Neil Lennon has also confirmed that Forster has gone ‘quiet’ on the deal even though Celtic had agreed terms with Southampton. The Hoops boss had also said that Celtic will look for other options if the Forster deal doesn’t go through.
The 32-year-old was a regular between the sticks for the Bhoys in the 2019/20 campaign. He made 39 appearances in all competitions, playing 28 times in the Premiership as well. He kept a total of 17 clean sheets in all competitions (via Transfermarkt).
That is a reflection of how important a player he was last season. He is the sort of player Lennon would like to have next season, considering how he was a regular in the previous campaign. While Swan’s words do offer some positive insight and things can still change, Celtic would not like to head into next season without a first-choice goalkeeper. So, they should start looking at alternatives already.