Last night in Copenhagen, Fraser Forster again underlined his value to Celtic.
The big question facing the club and being asked by supporters is- Can his move be made permanent?
A year ago Forster’s career was going nowhere in particular, demoted to third choice at Southampton, the position he had in the England squad when he signed his current contract at St Mary’s. Then the call came to go on loan to Celtic.
Over the last few months he has been involved in thrilling European ties, a Cup Final win and is a cornerstone for a club chasing it’s 11th and 12th consecutive domestic trophy successes.
I’m well aware it will cost Celtic big money to buy Fraser Forster this summer. But I believe his brilliant penalty save tonight underlined what a huge asset he’s been to the team this season (and in his first spell). The board should break the bank to land him.
— Brian McNally (@McNallyMirror) February 20, 2020
He won’t get a move to an EPL club the way most managers now want to play out from the back means he’ll struggle to find a club who will take him.
He’s a fantastic shot stopper and penalty saver but suspect in the air and his footwork is ghastly. £8 million max.
— TAL_Fanzine (@TAL_Fanzine) February 21, 2020
Should Celtic sign Fraser Forster on a permanent deal in the summer?
Yes, has to be first priority
No, the terms can't be justified
What happens in the summer is anyone’s guess. The keeper will be 32 next month with a lucrative EPL contract that runs until June 2022.
Three issues need resolved:
Does Forster want to return to Celtic on a pay cut six years after leaving for Southampton?
Will the Celtic board pay a top fee and offer appropriate contract for a non-project unlikely to have a resale value?
Will Southampton sell the keeper or could he have a future at the club?
There will be plenty of speculation over the coming months with the Celtic support virtually 100% behind splashing out to make his return permanent.
