The Daily Echo has been reporting on Southampton’s apparent interest in Celtic midfielder Olivier Ntcham, amid reports of a potential swap deal between the two clubs.
It was reported by The Scottish Sun earlier this week that the Saints could move for the £35,000-a-week French midfielder, who they were reportedly keen on in January. They also suggested that Southampton could offer Celtic current loanee Fraser Forster to help get any deal done.
It was news that undoubtedly left Celtic fans conflicted, as losing Ntcham would be a blow but it would at least see Forster, who has been sensational at Parkhead this season, remain in Glasgow.
However, the report from the south coast is suggesting that any move for Ntcham is not currently high on Southampton’s agenda.
They claim that Southampton are not currently placing transfer activities at the top of their list of priorities as they try to juggle the global health crisis and a potential restart of football in the UK.
They do however report that Celtic are open to letting Ntcham leave and that Southampton would want to move Forster on, because of his substantial wages.
Celtic, meanwhile, would like to keep Forster permanently but, as reported by The Telegraph, the England international is valued in the £20 million region by the Saints.
So whilst both clubs would seemingly be open to the idea of this swap deal, currently the Saints are not in a position to begin transfer negotiations regarding any deals.
For now, any Ntcham-Forster swap will remain a hypothetical scenario.