A measly £8m fee had been reported during the first few weeks of the transfer window. The Scot has been in exceptional form for the Scottish Champions this season and Hartson has criticised the Reds for the quoted fee.
James Forrest has already racked up 34 appearances this season in all competitions for Celtic, with that he has accumulated an impressive 11 goals and 17 assists. Forrest has also been on form for the national side, scoring five goals during UEFA Nations League wins over Albania and Israel. Former Welsh forward Hartson has admitted to laughing at the fee that was to lure him away from Celtic Park.
Hartson wrote in the Evening Times (Via Daily Star): “I have to say that I laughed when I saw the figures quoted for James Forrest this weekend.
“£8m? That might get you his big toe. Aside from the fact that the lad himself has signed a long-term deal with Celtic, the club he has been with since primary school, the money quoted for him is laughable."
Forrest has had a prosperous career with his boyhood team playing 326 times which includes over 40 appearances in the UEFA Champions League and Europa League combined.
Hartson continued: “We are not talking about a pup at 16 or 17. We are talking about a boy who has scored goals at international and Champions League level and who has blossomed into an winger who guarantees double-figure goals.”
Forrest has also previously stated his desire to remain in Glasgow for the rest of his career which would see him become one of few players in this generation that remain a one man club. A player like Forrest could suit the Premier League standards as a pacy winger who chips in with plenty of goals as well as assists. Another Celtic legend Chris Sutton shared a similar opinion at the proposed transfer fee on twitter.
£8 million hahahahahahahahahahahahaha.... https://t.co/W2MkPY7jBp
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) January 13, 2019
“The days of English clubs coming in and getting players for pennies are long gone. If Liverpool or anyone else want him then they will have to have very deep pockets,” he added.
Despite this rumoured interest Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp has stated he is unsure whether more bodies will come through the doors at Anfield this transfer window.
“I would say no but I don't know exactly what will happen until the transfer window closes," Said Klopp.
Source : 90min