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Southampton “open talks” over very surprising potential transfer move

By Marc Walker

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield on May 8, 2021 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield on May 8, 2021 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) /
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Southampton have reportedly opened talks with Celtic over another potential loan move for goalkeeper Fraser Forster.

According to a report from the Scottish Sun, Celtic are keen to bring in the 6ft 7in shot-stopper again before the 2021/22 season gets fully underway.

Forster has had no less than four separate spells with the Hoops in the past after three loan spells and a permanent move. He was given the chance to compete with Alex McCarthy for the number 1 jersey last season and looked set to be doing the same in 2021/22 before these rumours came out of the blue.

With just two other goalkeepers at St Mary’s and no concrete rumours linking them to replacements, it would surely be very unlikely that Forster will leave this summer.

Fraser Forster of Southampton (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Fraser Forster of Southampton (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images) /

Letting Forster go would leave Southampton short in goal

Alex McCarthy and Harry Lewis are the other two senior goalkeepers available to Ralph Hasenhuttl right now. McCarthy has been number 1 for much of Hasenhuttl’s reign, whilst Lewis has only made three senior appearances for Saints.

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Whilst the goalkeeping situation is by no means perfect on the South Coast right now, things seemed fairly settled with pre-season getting underway recently.

McCarthy and Forster were rotated in 2020/21. McCarthy played 31 times across all competitions as Forster filled in with 13 appearances in league and cup.

Both players actually showed big improvements in their games. Both were comfortable joining in the build-up from defence and were good overall at assessing when they needed to advance out of their areas to clear danger.

After his form dropped off badly following a terrible injury, it was good to see Forster looking back to somewhere near his best in a Saints shirt once again.

Given that a goalkeeping change is not exactly a priority for Saints right now, it would be surprising to see anything more happen regarding this referenced rumour even though Forster’s links back to Celtic are strong.

Next. Hasenhuttl responds to Danny Ings transfer rumours. dark

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