STMARY’SHINT AT FRAS HOPE
LENNY’S HUNT FOR A NEW GOALIE
FROM BACK PAGE solutions” if they want to move. Celtic were left stunned this week when Forster did not take an initial opportunity to rejoin the club for 2020-21.
Hoops chiefs had a loan deal agreed with an option to buy next summer.
However, Record Sport understands Forster is in favour of a permanent transfer to avoid future uncertainty with two years left on his big-money deal on England’s south coast.
Hasenhuttl appeared to back the keeper’s longterm stance as he also said he’s not made any decision on whether Forster will be his main man next term.
He suggested the chance remains for deals to be done on players who spent last season out on loan from Southampton having already agreed to Mohamed Elyounoussi’s return to Glasgow.
Asked directly about Forster, Hasenhuttl said: “We’ve not decided yet what we do next season.
“With our loan players, some did a good job in their clubs and it is also clear that they don’t want to go again on loan, normally they want to go permanently somewhere.
“We will try to find the right solutions for each player and will discuss it when it’s the right moment.”
Forster’s stance has forced Celtic to consider other options including former keeper David Marshall, who also has offers from England after his future plunged into doubt when Wigan crashed into administration.
Recruitment chiefs are now scouring the market for alternatives with Craig Gordon’s departure to Hearts leaving Scotland international Scott Bain as the only recognised topteam choice at Parkhead with less than a month to go before the Premiership season begins.
Vasilios Barkas is among a host of targets being assessed by Parkhead chiefs with AEK Athens also desperate to cash-in on the £5millionrated target.
European clubs have been alerted to the fact the Athens giants will not play hardball as they seek much-needed funds.
It’s understood AEK major backer Dimitris Melissanidis and technical director Ilija Ivic held a recent meeting where it was decided selling the 26-year-old would be a key way to offset recent hits to the club’s coffers.
AEK have had a tough spell with suspended sentences, fines and crowd bans from UEFA for fan trouble while covid-19 also shut down Greek football for three months and forced play-offs upon the restart to be played behind closed doors.
Ivic is believed to have pinpointed Barkas as back-up keeper Panagiotis Tsintotas is proven in the top team and lined-up to assume the No.1 slot.
Tsintotas’ progression means Barkas is seen as the club’s only saleable asset with Montpellier and Leeds also keeping watch.