Southampton are to raid Celtic for the second time in little over a year, with a fee in the region of £10m agreed for the goalkeeper Fraser Forster.
The 26-year-old is expected to sign a four-year contract, thereby following in the footsteps of his former Celtic team-mate Victor Wanyama. The Kenyan midfielder joined Southampton for £12.5m last July. Forster travelled to Southampton on Friday evening.
Forster’s performances in Europe for Celtic catapulted him into the England international set-up (though he also played in both ties against Legia Warsaw this season, conceding six goals). He was, therefore, keen to strengthen that position by moving to the Premier League. Southampton’s goalkeeping coach, Dave Watson, has been a long-time admirer of Forster.
Newcastle United will receive a sell-on payment for the player they sold to Celtic for £2m in 2012 after an initial loan spell.
Celtic’s Champions League qualifying reprieve has had no bearing on the transfer.They have a ready-made replacement in the form of Craig Gordon. The former Sunderland goalkeeper signed for Celtic this summer, having proved his fitness after a two-year spell on the sidelines with a knee problem.
Forster’s imminent arrival increases the likelihood of Southampton selling the 34-year-old Artur Boruc, another former Celtic player. Guardian Service
