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Southampton: Saints goalkeeper linked with January move back to Celtic

By Marc Walker

Southampton's English goalkeeper Fraser Forster warms up ahead of the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southampton at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on November 23, 2020. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by OLI SCARFF/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Southampton's English goalkeeper Fraser Forster warms up ahead of the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southampton at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on November 23, 2020. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by OLI SCARFF/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster is being linked with another loan move back to his previous club Celtic in the January transfer window.

According to the Athletic’s Kieran Devlin, the 6ft 7in shot-stopper has been mentioned as a target behind the scenes as the Hoops believe he will become available once again next month.

Forster was linked with a move back to Celtic Park in the summer window as part of a swap deal after impressing in a temporary spell there in the 2019/20 campaign.

Nothing materialised though and he is currently back with Saints as their second-choice goalkeeper behind number one Alex McCarthy.

There was potential game time for the 32-year-old when he took the decision to return to St Mary’s for this season but McCarthy’s excellent form has seen him unable to break in so far.

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – MAY 12: Fraser Forster and Harry Lewis of Southampton (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – MAY 12: Fraser Forster and Harry Lewis of Southampton (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images) /

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It would be a strange move to let another player in Forster’s position leave given that Angus Gunn is on-loan with Stoke City in the Championship – another departure would leave just McCarthy and Harry Lewis battling for a starting role.

The goalkeeping ranks behind McCarthy certainly need to be sorted though and it is also a strange situation to have someone like Forster sitting around and not playing – even if he will potentially have to come in as injury cover at some point.

Despite making 39 appearances for Celtic in 2019/20, Forster has not played for Saints for 20 months and – according to Spotrac.com – is one of the highest earning players at the club on £70,000 a week.

One thing that has also been noticeable from Alex McCarthy’s displays this season is the way he helps the team build from the back now.

He makes himself available to Jannik Vestergaard and Jan Bednarek for passes and plays much more of a modern goalkeeping role than he has in the past. It remains to be seen whether Forster would fit into this style too given that he is a completely different build to McCarthy.

Next. Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl reacts to controversial winner vs Brighton. dark

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