Southampton plan to use Fraser Forster as bait to seal transfer for Celtic star Olivier Ntcham
SOUTHAMPTON are ready to use keeper Fraser Forster to lure French midfielder Olivier Ntcham from Celtic.
Saints will let giant shot-stopper Forster return to the Scottish champions after a career-reviving loan last season — but they want the move to be right for them.
They are willing to do a deal involving long-term target , 24, who has lost his regular slot in the Celtic first team.
Forster is on big money at Southampton and the Hoops will be asked to pay more than the £15,000-a-week bargain rental they negotiated last season.
Saints’ need for Ntcham is greater because of former skipper Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s push to leave the club and make a big move this summer.
Celtic still rate Ntcham highly but could let him go for the right fee.
Then the clubs would have to thrash out how to make the numbers work with Forster, 32, who has six England caps.
The new Scottish season may start on August 1, so manager Neil Lennon wants to bring back Forster as soon as possible.
LEAGUE ONE goal machine Ivan Toney could make a shock move to Premier League Brighton.
The Seagulls were closing in on the Peterborough star, 24, until Posh’s season was called off.
But they are now poised for a second push.
Toney was fulfilling the potential he first showed with Newcastle - and Brighton believe he could make the step up.
Posh will look for a large fee for Toney and Premier League interest may inflate the figure to about £10million.
Toney’s contract is running out and an official offer from a top-flight team would attract the player at the moment.
Brighton want an extra striker for their squad but they are working within a budget and will not spend crazy money.