Report explains how Celtic could pull off purchase of £10m man that Neil Lennon is ‘desperate’ for

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Celtic on-loan goalkeeper Fraser Forster has been a revelation since returning to Parkhead last summer, but as things stand, he’ll soon leave the Hoops and return to Southampton.

However, the Bhoys have a player on their books that the Saints are keen on signing, according to the Scottish Sun, and this could give the Scottish Premiership champions some leverage regarding Forster’s future.

Forster has been on Southampton’s books since the summer of 2014, when he left Parkhead for St Mary’s in a £10million deal (BBC Sport), and has made 125 appearances for the Saints, but fell out of favour under both Mark Hughes and then Ralph Hasenhuttl.

However, Forster’s loan switch back to Celtic has proven a new lease of life for his career, with 39 appearances for Lennon’s side this term prior to the shutdown, and numerous superb performances and saves, in particular his masterclasses against Lazio at Celtic Park and against Rangers in the Scottish League Cup final.

The Scottish Sun claims that Southampton want Celtic’s Olivier Ntcham to replace captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who has been linked with a move away, and while the Bhoys are prepared to let him leave, they could also look to do a deal which would see Forster return to the club on a long-term contract.

Ntcham has made 123 appearances for Celtic since his £4.5million move from Manchester City in 2017, scoring 23 goals and claiming 11 assists in the process, but this season has been utilised largely as a squad rotation player.

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It’s almost baffling to think Forster was frozen out at Southampton for so long, considering just how well he has done back at Celtic, and he would be an incredible permanent signing for the Hoops – the Scottish Sun claims Lennon is “desperate” to have him in the Hoops ranks next season.

From a financial perspective, Celtic would have struggled to buy him outright on top of being able to pay him close to his reported £90,000-a-week wages, but with Southampton reportedly wanting to sign Ntcham, that could see a huge reduction in any transfer fee for Forster.

Obviously Forster would most likely have to accept a wage reduction, but given Ntcham’s departure would free up £35,000-a-week, this would also be a boost for Celtic in terms of how much they could offer the Englishman.