Fraser Forster has opened the door for Celtic to bring him back to Parkhead after rejecting a new contract offer to extend his stay at Southampton, according to The Scottish Sun.
Talks between the towering 6 ft 7 titan and Saints have now stalled as he refuses to accept a sizable pay cut. Southampton want to reduce their spending by trimming a bloated wage bill, but Forster has snubbed the terms presented.
Southampton offered Forster a £70,000-per-week deal to remain at St Marys as his current terms expire next summer. But the goalkeeper, who currently earns in excess of £100k-p/w, refused to accept a deal that would have seen him earn less than back-up Alex McCarthy.
Forster knows he can demand a massive payday if he opts to leave Southampton as a free agent next summer, with Celtic monitoring the shot-stopper’s situation. Ange Postecoglou has given Hoops chiefs the go-ahead to sign a new goalkeeper as he rebuilds Parkhead.
Celtic could now pursue a permanent deal for Forster after he rejected Southampton’s deal. The Scottish Sun reported at the weekend that the Hoops were focusing on a loan move this summer. But as the Saints could be tempted to cash in, Postecoglou’s side may move.
A loan deal would have seen Southampton demand Celtic cover at least a third of Forster’s £130k-p/w contract. The Hoops only paid a fraction of his wage while the goalkeeper was on loan in Glasgow during the 2019/20 campaign.
The Express also noted this week that Southampton will likely move Forster on but want £2m for the Celtic target. After returning to St Marys last season, the 33-year-old only featured eight times in the Premier League – all in 2021 – and kept two clean sheets.
Celtic to jump at Forster return after rejecting Southampton contract
Celtic will likely jump at the chance to sign Forster after the goalkeeper rejected a new contract at Southampton. A £2m fee for someone with his quality and experience would be a bargain, when Postecoglou wants a top-draw shot-stopper.
Ralph Hasenhuttl may have rarely favoured the six-cap England international at St Marys last term. But Forster played a big role in Celtic winning the 2019/20 Premiership title – his fourth – with 14 clean sheets in 28 games.
His clean sheet in the 2019 Scottish League Cup final also helped Neil Lennon’s side beat Rangers 1-0. And speaking on the tie, Scott Bain later hailed his Hampden Park heroics on the Celtic View podcast: “As a goalkeeper, you appreciate that performance massively.
“I remember watching the game from the stands that day and thinking, this is an unbelievable performance, and one of the best you’re going to see on such a big stage. We were thankful to have him, to get away with the win and to lift the cup.”
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