NEIL LENNON plans a fresh call to Newcastle United as Celtic bid to land a new goalkeeper after having a £1.5m offer rejected for Fraser Forster.
The Scottish Premier League runners-up received short shrift from the Magpies when they launched their initial offer to prise Forster away from St James’ Park on a permanent basis.
But they will return with an improved offer in the hope a deal can be struck in time for him to head away on a pre-season tour of Australia on Monday.
Lennon said: “We had a bid for Fraser and it was rejected by Newcastle. We intend to go back on that later.”
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is keen to see Forster at first hand for the first time since he took over in December.
Pardew has received glowing reports about the 23-year-old’s performances but recently questioned the level of test he was getting in the SPL.
Forster managed 24 clean sheets during his season-long loan at Parkhead.
But with Pardew keen to boast a squad full of promising talents, Lennon is likely to find Newcastle are not prepared to alter the view that he is not for sale.
However, Celtic also have an interest in last season’s No 1 on Tyneside, Steve Harper.
Lennon had expressed an interest in signing the 36-year-old 12 months ago, only for the Easington-born shot-stopper to begin life back in the Premier League as first choice.
After injury prevented him from playing more than 18 times last season, however, there are strong suggestions Pardew is will start next season with Dutch international Tim Krul between the posts.
Ironically the £1.5m offered for Forster would probably be enough to tempt Newcastle in to selling their most experienced goalkeeper – something Celtic coach Alan Thompson, formerly on Newcastle’s backroom staff, will be aware of.
Forster, a 6ft 4in future England prospect, hails from Hexham and has also been attracting interest from Leeds and Hull City.
Newcastle are still to confirm the agreement they have in place for Swansea left-back Neil Taylor. But there are not believed to be any real doubts surrounding the deal.
Pardew is hoping to have added two more strikers to his ranks before the start of the season.
Paris St Germain’s Mevlut Erdinc is highest in his thinking. Newcastle have watched powerful 21-year-old Teteh, but are not willing to follow up their interest.
The Sierra Leone international currently plays for AIK Solnas in Sweden. He said: “I know Newcastle have seen all my matches and follow me.”
Young defender Ben Tozer has been released.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here