Celtic identify possible Fraser Forster replacement

Celtic have been watching an international keeper with Champions League experience as a back up to Fraser Forster being unavailable to return.

Celtic will need a backup plan if Fraser Forster can’t return to the club and with Craig Gordon undecided on where to accept the clubs offer or move on.

A strong goalkeeper is vital and Celtic have been watching a top keeper in particular for many months now. This particular player was on the radar as an option before the club signed Forster on loan last season and he only just missed out on being on our recent list of three goalkeepers Celtic should look at.

Vasilios Barkas is the player of interest and a few clubs are following his strong displays at AEK Athens last season and according to Greek website Sdna (and translated by Give Me Sport)  he’s on Nick Hammond’s watch list. Hammond is Celtic’s Head of Football Operations and is on the lookout for goalkeeping options given the current uncertainty over Forster and Gordon.

What do we know about Barkas?

He’s worked his way up through Greek football ranks making his first team professional debut back in 2014 before joining AEK in 2016 where he is now on contract through until June 2022. Barkas has just turned 26 and his best footballing days are likely to still be ahead of him. He’s another tall keeper with a good reach, standing at 1.96m just below Forster’s 2.01m, a couple of inches height difference.

In addition to playing in the Greek league,  Barkas also has European football experience. Somewhat annoyingly given that his Champions League matches in 2018 came at the expense of Celtic who AEK and Barkas knocked out in the Third Round Qualifying matches that season. He’s also got 10 full international Greek caps. However it came about, that big game experience can be invaluable and will be a big plus for a potential signing.

His form looks good with a decent record and clean sheets behind him at various levels. He’s attracting interest from other European clubs which is healthy, but may impact on how much he’d cost. It’s hard to speculate on how the transfer market fees will hold up over the weeks ahead, somewhere around £5 million upwards seems potentially realistic.

That’s quite dear for Celtic but could be a small price to pay for a top class keeper if they can’t secure Forster. He’s definitely another keeper that’s worth a look.