Scottish Premiership champions Celtic have reportedly identified AEK Athens’ Greek goalkeeper Barkas as Fraser Forster’s long-term replacement.
Vassilis Barkas won’t come cheap for Celtic.
According to Sportime, the Scottish Premiership champions are scouring the market for a new number one in the event that Fraser Forster, who has been a man reborn since returning to Glasgow on loan to Southampton, bids farewell to Parkhead for a second time when his temporary deal comes to an end.
Given the way Angus Gunn performed in the Saints’ historic 9-0 home defeat to Leicester City, it would hardly be a surprise if Ralph Hasenhuttl wanted Forster back at the earliest opportunity.
And Barkas, who is apparently valued at a hefty £6 million, has reportedly been lined up as a replacement for the England international.
But what can Celtic fans expect from a goalkeeper who, despite winning the Super League title with AEK Athens in 2018 while earning ten caps for the Greek national team, is hardly a household name outside of his home nation?
“He’s definitely one of Greece’s top four ‘keepers right now,” Greek football fanatic Graham Wood told HITC.
“He commands his box brilliantly and is very solid on crosses. Not as fast reflex wise as (Alexandros) Paschalakis of PAOK for example but he’s much less prone to costly errors.
“He’s certainly not afraid of a bit of rough and tumble as it were. He reminds me a lot of a young Fraser Forster actually.”
Given that a young Fraser Forster enjoyed the best years of his career at Celtic between 2010 and 2014, winning three Premiership titles and producing that legendary performance against Barcelona, comparisons such as these bode well for Barkas.
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