Celtic reject Southampton's Forster bid
- adamhigginsuk
- Jul 22, 2014
- 2 min read
Heroics: Forster has caught the eye on the European stage for Celtic with some sensational saves in the Champions League (Picture from Zimbio.com)
CELTIC have rejected an undisclosed bid from Southampton for goalkeeper Fraser Forster.
The Scottish champions have described the offer, believed to be lower than £7.5 million, as "derisory" and are reportedly holding out for £9 million.
Seeking competition for former Hoops stopper Artur Boruc, the Saints have stepped up their interest in Forster after refusing to pay Cardiff's £8 million asking price for David Marshall.
Forster, 26, has been capped twice by England and was Roy Hodgson's third choice keeper at the World Cup finals in Brazil behind Joe Hart and Ben Foster.
Atletico Madrid and Benfica are also keeping tabs on Forster, who played for Celtic in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier with KR Reykjavik last week and is expected to start tonight's second leg at Murrayfield.
Forster broke the Scottish record for minutes without conceding a goal in the league last season but his form in the Champions League has earned him rave reviews.
Former Hearts and Sunderland stopper Craig Gordon joined Celtic earlier this summer and would fill the void should Forster depart.
His former club Newcastle United, whom he departed permanently in 2012, would be entitled to a percentage of the sell-on fee recouped.
Additionally, it would be the second high-profile transfer between the two clubs in the space of 12 months after midfielder Victor Wanyama moved to St Mary's last summer for £12 million.
FORSTER IN NUMBERS:
(Based on league games)
2006 - 2012: Newcastle (0 appearances, 0 clean sheets)
2008: Stockport County on loan (6 appearances, 3 clean sheets)
2009: Bristol Rovers on loan (4 appearances, 2 clean sheets)
2009 - 2010: Norwich on loan (38 appearances, 18 clean sheets)
2010 - 2012: Celtic on loan (69 appearances, 42 clean sheets)
2012 - present: 71 appearances, 37 clean sheets)
Last updated: 22 July 2014 14:23pm
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