BOTH SIDES ARE KEEN TO MAKE FORSTER DEAL HAPPEN

IT would send shockwaves through Scottish football if Celtic could clinch a deal to sign Fraser Forster permanently. It would be a blockbuster signing and a huge statement of intent from the club. It should be a matter of urgency to get it done as soon as possible. The stumbling block isn’t necessarily the transfer fee. Celtic have shown with the likes of Odsonne Edouard and Christopher Jullien that they don’t mind spending a few quid on the right player. The issue has always been the fact that they just can’t match Forster’s basic wage at Southampton, which is in the region of £70,000 per week. But it’s my understanding that Celtic are hopeful of structuring a deal to make it happen. In fact, the club need to treat it as a priority. They could put together a financial package that would hand Forster a hefty signing-on fee first and foremost, as well as a heavily incentivised long-term contract. He’ll have his basic wage, as well as big bonuses for reaching the Champions League, keeping clean sheets, winning trophies, as well as an annual loyalty bonus. Without going into the specific numbers, this is a deal which isn’t as far-fetched as what a lot of people might think. Crucially, there is also a genuine desire from all parties to make it happen. It’s my understanding Forster, 31, would happily now finish his career at Celtic. If they put a five-year contract on the table with the right incentives, he would sign it in a heartbeat. Celtic could easily make the money back by securing Champions League football next season — and Forster would certainly help them achieve that. The deal would effectively be paid for. Sometimes, you have to speculate to accumulate...