Celtic don’t have any “option to buy” in either of the deals for Southampton duo Fraser Forster or Mohamed Elyounoussi, according to a report.
The Daily Echo says that the Hoops won’t be able to exercise the right to sign either player permanently following the end of their loan spells and they will instead return back to the Saints ahead of next season.
Most Celtic fans were already aware that a permanent move for £16million man Elyounoussi was unlikely but there was hope that Forster may return to the club beyond the end of the current campaign.
Of course a deal could still be struck next summer for the £10million former England number one, but it does seem a bit of a blow for the long-term planning of the club that an option to buy hasn’t been agreed for the keeper.
Forster and Elyounoussi came to Scotland for game time
Both men arrived in Scotland after falling out of favour following hefty moves to the St. Mary’s club. Elyounoussi made just eight league starts in his first season in the English top-flight while Forster was third choice goalkeeper before making the switch north of the border.
Both signings were good examples of Celtic using the loan market positively. The club have been derided in the past for signing and development other team’s youth players. The likes of Timothy Weah and Charly Musonda both arrived as hot young prospects and left the club prematurely to the frustration of supporters.
However, the deals for both Forster and Elyounoussi represented Celtic adding quality that they wouldn’t ordinary be able to sign permanently. Both have got off to decent enough starts in Glasgow although there is far more to come on the pitch.
It’s just a frustration, in Forster’s case particularly, that a permanent deal may not be in the offing.
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