Newcastle preparing player-plus-cash deal for Celtic star
It appears that Newcastle have joined the race to sign Scottish starlet James Forrest, joining the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham in the race for his signature.
The winger has attracted a raft of Premier League interest this season and was supposedly the subject of numerous bids over the course of the January transfer window.
However, a move failed to materialise and the 20 year-old remained at Celtic Park insisting that he was happy with life at the Scottish outfit.
Forrest also made the jump onto the international stage in 2011, accumulating his first caps for the Scottish national team under Craig Levein.
The youngster played for numerous levels of the nation’s youth system and despite his age, Forrest has looked impressive in his four senior appearances.
As part of the deal, Newcastle are rumoured to be offering Leon Best in part exchange in the offer in order to land their man.
Newcastle have shown their ambition by signing Papiss Demba Cissé in January and if they hope to finish in the top five and continue to improve, they need to challenge the bigger clubs for signings such as these.
Liverpool and Tottenham will pose heavy competition for Forrest but Alan Pardew will be hoping that this season’s performances and an early summer approach will be enough to tempt the youngster to Tyneside.
Best did well to fill into the main striking role at St. James Park in January with Demba Ba and Papiss Demba Cissé away at the African Cup of Nations but some are speculating that the forward may not play a big part in the club’s future.
Celtic were rumoured to be interested in the striker in January but Newcastle will be happy to take £10m Forrest in the opposite direction should they decide to submit a bid in July.
