Neil Lennon is hoping that uncertainty about the transfer market can ensure a Celtic return for Fraser Forster and Moi Elyounoussi.
Southampton sent both players to Glasgow towards the end of August fairly certain after their experiences of signing Celtic players that both men would benefit from a season in the SPFL and Europa League.
Forster was outstanding throughout the campaign while Elyounoussi’s made an instant impact, winning the October SPFL Player of the Month Award, before injury halted his season.
The transfer market this summer will be very different to any other year with Lennon hopeful that another deal can be struck with Southampton before some sort of normality returns in 2021.
Looking towards the transfer window opening Lennon told The Sun:
Everyone will start from the same position but there are always deals to be done.
Every club in Europe will be impacted by this one way or another. We will have to cut our cloth accordingly and see what is out there. There might be good value for money, or free transfers or loans.
If we can get Mohamed Elyounoussi and Fraser Forster back that wouldn’t take too much integration. Boys like Jullien, Taylor and Frimpong have had a season here now as well.
Jonny Hayes and Jozo Simunovic are the only outfield players leaving Celtic’s first team squad with neither offered an extension to the contracts that end next month. Moritz Bauer has returned to Stoke City at the end of his loan.
Craig Gordon is also out of contract with his decision over whether to stay on or not, if a contract offer is made, highly dependent on whether Forster returns to the club.
