According to a recent report by The Sun, Premier League giants Arsenal are said to have entered the race for the signature of Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster this summer. The report suggests that the Gunners are considering the Celtic loanee as a potential replacement for Emiliano Martinez, who would have to play second fiddle to Bernd Leno for another full season. If Martinez does choose to leave, it has been suggested that Forster will be targeted by Arsenal as a possible back-up option to their German first-choice.
With the report clarifying that Arsenal want Celtic target Fraser Forster next season, the onus does fall onto the shoulders of Neil Lennon to ensure that he gets this deal over the line. The Englishman’s Southampton future has looked over for a while now, as he’s been the third-choice at St.Mary’s behind both Angus Gunn and Alex McCarthy. Despite this, the resurgence that the veteran has experienced at Parkhead has made him a primary target for the Scottish champions as well, as has been clarified by The Scottish Sun.
How Has Forster Helped Celtic This Season?
The Englishman arrived at Parkhead before the start of the season with a massive amount of expectations, and it’s safe to say that he’s lived up to the hype quite satisfactorily. The Southampton man has been an indescribably large influence in between the sticks for the Celts all season, and his sheer presence could help them take massive strides towards securing a record-breaking Premiership title next term. The former Premier League keeper was instrumental in the Hoops’ Europa League run too, and bringing him back must be treated as a priority.
What Is Celtic’s Current Goalkeeper Situation?
The reigning champions started the league campaign with three recognised options to choose from in the role, with Forster as the first-choice. At the same time, veteran stopper Craig Gordon and 28-year-old Scott Bain provided the necessary cover.
Bain played just two fixtures in the league all season but hasn’t shown enough to warrant the first-choice role in Neil Lennon’s setup. Gordon, at 37, didn’t make a single Premiership appearance this term and is a player that the Celts will probably have to replace after his contract expired.
How Has Fraser Forster’s Season At Celtic Gone?
The 32-year-old was a perpetual rock between the sticks for the Parkhead side, as he proved to be an essential figure in all the competitions they were involved in. The fact that the Englishman stands at over 2m tall is a massive boost for the Glasgow club, and their respect towards the player is visible in his numbers for the season. The 28 games he played in yielded just 17 opposition goals, while he even managed a sensational 14 clean sheets along the way, adding up to a clean sheet percentage of 50 per cent.
Arsenal Want Celtic Target Fraser Forster: Why Neil Lennon Must Lure Him To Parkhead
The Southampton shot-stopper has been completely out of favour at the St.Mary’s Stadium for a long time now, and a move away would be in the best interest of his future as well. The fact that a club like Arsenal are looking at Forster clarifies that quality that he possesses. A future at Southampton certainly doesn’t seem to be on the cards for the 32-year-old, meaning that a move away is likely this summer.
The Celts’ biggest selling point will be that they’re effectively guaranteed to challenge for the title again next season, while Arsenal will only be able to offer him a back-up role, and this should be enough to tip the scales in the Scottish club’s favour.
