There is news this morning is that Celtic may want to make the loan move, of Newcastle’s 6’7″ goalkeeper Fraser Forster, permanent in the summer.
Fraser Forster – in action last weekend against Rangers
Rangers beat Celtic 2-1 in the Scottish League Cup final
The Hexham-born goalkeeper, who turned 23 on St. Patrick’s day last week, has been on loan to the Scottish giants this season, and has so far made 32 appearances for the Glasgow side.
And the news is that Celtic are thought to be ready to make a cut-price £2M bid for the youngster, but we’d be very surprised if Newcastle accept that bid, with Newcastle number one goalkeeper Steve Harper only yesterday saying he would probably only play two more years before finally retiring.
The Scottish clubs don’t have much money these days, and that includes both Celtic and Rangers, because the TV rights from the SPL are minuscule compared to what clubs get in the English Premier League, where the EPL games are shown around the world every weekend.
And it seems that Neil Lennon would like to tie up Fraser at the club, to solve his goalkeeping problem, because if Fraser doesn’t stay, Lennon will need to find a new number one for next season
There have been persistent rumors that Newcastle may want to sign 26 year-old Coventry City goalkeeper Keiren Westwood, whom Newcastle were linked with in January.
But Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has said he wants to take a look at all three Newcastle goalkeepers, including Tim Krul, the 22 year-old Dutch U21 International in the summer, before deciding which one to sell between the two youngsters.
But why wouldn’t Alan want to keep both young goalkeepers for the next couple of years, and then have then fight it out for who will take over from Steve Harper?
If Newcastle keep Fraser at least another year his price will go up in the transfer market, as he’s now had two very successful seasons out on loan, having played 42 times last season with Norwich City, when they were promoted to the Championship.
It’s a decision Alan Pardew will need to make in the summer, but we’d be surprised if he makes any decision on his goalkeepers before the pre-season is well underway.
Do you think Newcastle should keep Fraser on Tyneside?
Comments welcome.
45 comments so far
coolcatcarter89
Mar 24, 2011 at 3:47 PM
Comment #41Chuck;
Aye, not a candidate yet. Joe Hart is the prime example though. He was dubiously picked ahead of a much more acclaimed keeper than Harps, in Given, then rapidly improved on his weaknesses, getting him the England call. If the kid has ambition for England, he won’t go near the SPL.
Agree on Izaguirre. Should Jose leave, there is plenty of choice out there in the LB spot, right now.
beefman13
Mar 24, 2011 at 4:01 PM
Comment #42I think forster has huge potential and as we all know 2 million is a derisory offer, he should be brought back as no1 goalkeeper next season, i have watched his progress through the reserves, norwich and now celtic, he has done his apprentiship and it is time to bring the talented young lad back to the toon as no1 goalkeeper for next season in the prem, no tempting fate i genuinly believe we will be ok.
AndyE93
Mar 24, 2011 at 4:18 PM
Comment #43No real chance of us getting Izaguirre. He’s been linked with all the top clubs in Europe (Barca, Arsenal, Liverpool) so i don’t really think he’d leave Celtic (potential CL if they win the league) to go to a team that doesn’t actually know where they are going. Forster is nowhere near ready for number 1. I’ve watched him a lot this season and he simply does not command his box and his too slow to get down to shots (see Rangers first on sunday) but he does sometimes pull of wonder saves (See Rangers game again on sunday) lot’s of potential but i’d say loan him to celtic again with the hope they’ll be CL which will once again give him more experience which will be essential if he is to be number 1 here.
chuck
Mar 24, 2011 at 6:17 PM
Comment #44Andy
Yes i mentioned he has been linked to some big sides, however mostly newspaper filler, apparently no real enquiries .
The fact is regardless of what defensive minded Celtic fans say, he would be available as is every player for the right price.
And the present Celtic ownership are nothing if not sharp business men, who are stuck with a once wealthy side fallen on hard times, due to lack of earning power.
Loss of tv revenue and poor results in Europe have
relegated Celtic and their rivals Rangers, to a footballing level probably on par to the English second tier, if not in fact the Scandanavian leagues.
In which case a few million here and there, would be more than welcome.
AndyE93
Mar 24, 2011 at 10:56 PM
Comment #45I see what you are saying Chuck but i don’t think a player of his quality would give up playing in the CL albeit for a team who if they make the last 16 see it as a fantastic year to move to us, if the guy wants to better himself he will get noticed more playing CL football than playing for us. I agree with most of what you say about Celtics ownership etc. But i would strongly disagree with you when you say they’re on par with Championship football, probably round about the same level as us, as most of the PL are!