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Football

13th Jan 2019

Celtic and Scotland star linked with move to Liverpool

Reports in Scotland claim Jurgen Klopp has been keeping tabs on James Forrest for several months now and is keen to bring him to Anfield

Reuben Pinder

Klopp is already looking ahead to the summer

Liverpool are interested in signing Celtic winger James Forrest, according to reports in Scotland. Jurgen Klopp is believed to have kept tabs on the Scotland international for several months now, and the club are considering putting in a bid for him in the range of £8m.

Despite Liverpool’s defensive injury crisis, Klopp is not looking to add to the squad this January, but is looking ahead to the summer and is weighing up potential targets.

Forrest has impressed for Celtic over the past few seasons and has shown his quality this term, bagging 16 goals in all competitions so far.

Last season, he performed so well on the right wing that Brendan Rodgers was forced to bench Patrick Roberts, a loan signing from Manchester City who is spending the current season at Girona.

Forrest is under contract at Parkhead until 2022, meaning Liverpool would have to stump up at least £8 million if Celtic were to let one of their most important players go.

Celtic have lost two of their best players last summer, when Roberts left after his loan and striker Moussa Dembélé signed for Lyon. They are also without striker Leigh Griffiths, who has taken indefinite leave while he battles mental health issues.

This has only increased Forrest’s important to the Bhoys, who are experiencing their first real title race since Rangers’ return to the top flight.

Even if they manage to retain the league title, they will be desperate not to lose Forrest too come the summer.