STOKE CITY are poised to beat Celtic to the capture of David Marshall.
Potters gaffer Michael O’Neill has tabled an offer for the Scotland keeper after his club Wigan went bust last week.
That could now force Hoops boss Neil Lennon to act swiftly or risk losing out.
Lenny is reeling after No 1 target Fraser Forster opted against a new season-long loan move from Southampton.
Forster is holding out for a permanent deal at Parkhead, which right now looks beyond the nine-in-a-row champions.
That news immediately put Marshall in the frame for a return to Parkhead.
It’s understood that the 35-year-old is keen on the move but as yet there has been no bid from Celts.
And Stoke’s firm offer could see them gazumped.
O’Neill’s current first choice Jack Butland is believed to want out at the end of the extended 2019-20 season and the Potters are willing to sell him for a decent fee.
At least one other English side are thought to be in the running to land Marshall, who has 33 Scotland caps and played 50 games for Celts before leaving for Norwich.
He has also since starred for Cardiff and Hull.
Lennon is still holding out hope for a change of heart from Forster, who has two years left to run on his £90,000-a-week contract at Saints.
Forster, 32, would cost a minimum £5million fee, while it would also require the St Mary’s outfit to give to their third-choice keeper a massive pay-off to compensate him for facing a basic wage cut of more than 50 per cent.
Meanwhile, reports have also linked Celts with a move for Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli.
The 28-year-old has been with the Cottagers since 2010 and has made 120 appearances for the London side.
And he could be available for just £1million as he enters the final year of his contract.
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