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Southampton close to Forster deal

Fraser Forster's Celtic are on the brink of Champions League elimination © Getty Images

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Southampton are close to tying up a deal to sign Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster, sources have told ESPN.

Forster, a part of the England squad that travelled to this summer's World Cup finals, is a target for Southampton but Celtic will not give a green light to the deal until after the second leg of their Champions League qualifier with Legia Warsaw on Wednesday.

Celtic trail their Polish opponents 4-1 from the first leg of the third qualifying round tie, with their exit from Europe's elite competition likely to signal the end of Forster's time at the club.

The 26 year old's future in Glasgow may have already been offset by Celtic with the signing of Craig Gordon. St Mary's appears to be Forster's most likely destination, with his arrival likely to herald the departure of former Celtic keeper Artur Boruc from the club.

Forster has never played a Premier League game despite being owned by Newcastle for six years.

Boruc was a key member of the Southampton side that secured an impressive eighth-placed finish in the Premier League last season, but sources say he has not impressed new Southampton manager Ronald Koeman during pre-season and is expected to move on in this transfer window. Southampton club captain Kelvin Davis would be expected to remain as the No.2 keeper in that event.

Forster's move will be delayed if Celtic turn around their Champions League qualifier at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on Wednesday, as they would want him available for the subsequent play-off for a place in the group stage.

This article originally appeared on ESPN.com

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