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This article is part of Football FanCast's Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news...

As reported by BBC Sport, Southampton have allowed Fraser Forster to rejoin Celtic on loan, with the goalkeeper set to undergo a medical with his former club.

What's the word, then?

Well, the six-cap England international has played just once for the Saints since December 2017 after falling behind Angus Gunn and Alex McCarthy in the pecking order.

The 31-year-old made 197 appearances for the Bhoys during his first spell at the club, earning the first of his England caps at Celtic Park and also playing a key role in winning three league titles and two Scottish Cups during his four-year stint at the club.

He moved to St Mary's for £10m and initially started well, earning more England caps whilst at the club, although the last two years have not been too good for the former Newcastle glovesman.

Exit suggests Ralph Hasenhuttl wants more goalkeeping competition 

The decision to allow Forster to rejoin Celtic speaks volumes, even more so after a report from the summer suggested that the club were willing to listen to offers for both McCarthy and Forster - two-thirds of the Saints' goalkeeping options.

Another report from the start of the year details Hasenhuttl saying: "I have decided but I won't tell you today," when asked who his number one goalkeeper was before a game against Leicester - he eventually opted for McCarthy.

However, it was Gunn who had the shirt for 11 of the last 12 league games last term, so who knows which man Hasenhuttl sees as his number one - there is definitely not a clear-cut option.

The Austrian boss has also said previously that he is happy to rotate his options in goal, providing more evidence that he isn't 100% happy with Gunn or McCarthy being his iron-cast number one.

With this information, coupled with Forster's imminent exit, it does seem as if the former RB Leipzig manager would like some more serious goalkeeping competition for Gunn and McCarthy.

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