Scottish Premiership champions Celtic reportedly want AEK Athens goalkeeper Barkas if Fraser Forster returns to Premier League Southampton.
AEK Athens’ technical director Ilija Ivic has made it a ‘priority’ to sell goalkeeper Vassilis Barkas amid claims that Celtic are interested in signing the Greek international, according to Sportime.
Fraser Forster might have been a man reborn since joining the Hoops on loan from Southampton over the summer, producing one staggering save in the recent Europa League victory over Lazio, but his long-term future remains uncertain.
The England international is only due to stay at Parkhead until next summer and, with that 9-0 humiliation against Leicester City still fresh in the memory, the Saints might just be tempted to give Forster a second chance.
Fortunately, Barkas is available.
Sportime claimed last week that Celtic are interested in signing a Dutch-born 25-year-old who is understood to be valued at £7 million. Now, the report has provided an update, claiming that the 2018 Super League champions have decided to cash in on one of their star men, with Barkas having come close to leaving in the summer, too.
Scott Bain signed a new long-term contract at Celtic earlier this week and it remains to be seen what impact this has on their pursuit of Barkas, a man who helped knock the Hoops out of the Champions League in 2018.
Bain has been a little erratic of late and Barkas, if Forster does indeed return to St Mary’s, could represent a substantial upgrade with his commanding style likely to suit Scottish football perfectly.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
