Arsenal reportedly want goalkeeper that Lionel Messi predicted would end up at The Emirates

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Arsenal are reportedly interested in raiding Southampton for on-loan Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster this summer after an excellent 2019-20 campaign with the Scottish champions – and Lionel Messi once claimed he would end up at Arsenal.

Forster, 32, returned to Celtic last summer and starred for Neil Lennon’s side. He conceded just 28 goals in 39 games, keeping an enormous 17 clean sheets for the Hoops – who went on to win the Scottish Premiership with ease, ahead of Rangers.

Little surprise, then, that Forster is in demand. His stunning performances against Rangers, in the Europa League against Lazio and the fact that he is on the transfer list at Southampton has seen Arsenal come calling.

The Sun claim Arsenal are interested in adding Forster as back-up to Germany international Bernd Leno, but face competition from Celtic who want to sign the England international permanently.

Barcelona legend Messi was quoted by the Express in 2015 after a Champions League clash against Celtic that Barca even considered Forster to replace Victor Valdes – and was sure that Forster would end up at Arsenal, Chelsea of Manchester United.

“The performances of Fraser Forster against us were talked about for a long time,” Messi said. “When Victor Valdes said he was leaving we even talked about him playing here. I was sure he would end up at Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester United.”

TBR’s view – Messi quotes have got to convince Arsenal into move

Thrown out of the reckoning by Southampton in recent years, Forster’s wages are a huge part of the problem. Earning an enormous £70,000 a week, as per Spotrac, Forster has been prevented from playing – and indeed leaving.

Southampton want him off the wage bill due to his enormous contract, and have dropped him in order to make him leave. But those wages have prevented him from leaving – with interested parties opting against paying those wages.

But the Gunners can afford those wages, even for a back-up goalkeeper.