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Celtic news: Southampton could step up interest in Ntcham – and Forster could be included in any deal

SOUTHAMPTON could step up their interest in Celtic midfielder Olivier Ntcham — with keeper Fraser Forster included in any deal.

SunSport revealed in February that Saints had targeted the former France Under-21 star.

Now the Premier League club are prepared to include Forster, 32, in their offer.

Celts boss Neil Lennon is desperate to keep the on-loan keeper at Parkhead for next season’s ten in a row bid.

Saints chiefs are understood to be open to talks as they look to get the high-earning back-up off the books.

Celts are prepared to let Ntcham, 24, leave.

The midfielder, who was signed from Manchester City without making a top-team appearance, is believed to be raking in £35,000 a week with Scotland’s champions.

That’s the improved deal he was given after Porto made a move for him two years ago.

Saints coach Ralph Hasenhüttl has been tracking Ntcham for months as he looks to bolster his squad for next season.

The current uncertainty in world football has seen Saints reconsider their targets and their transfer budget is unclear.

But Ntcham is still seen as a realistic target.

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Forster still has two years to run on his St Mary’s deal and Saints chiefs would be required to pay him a significant cash settlement to leave this summer.

But Celtic could be able to do a deal which would see the ex-England star return to the club on a long-term contract.

Saints want Ntcham to replace want-away captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

The south-coast side are resigned to losing Tottenham and Everton target Hojbjerg at the end of this season after the Dane publicly expressed his desire to play in the Champions League.

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page