Ex-Celtic striker Charlie Nicholas reckons his old side should offload Olivier Ntcham in a bid to sign Fraser Forster permanently and make him their highest earner.

Nicholas believes Forster should be number one priority for the champions this summer and they should immediately test Southampton with an offer for the goalkeeper. It is believed manager Ralph Hassenhuttl would be open to a conversation regarding a potential deal.

With Craig Gordon's contract expiring soon and no new deal yet announced, Scott Bain would remain Celtic's only first-team stopper. So Nicholas says Forster should be targeted as soon as possible.

Ntcham, Nicholas says, would be an ideal fit to make the move out of Parkhead to earn the funds which might facilitate a deal for Forster. The Frenchman has previously been linked with FC Porto and Marseille.

Nicholas also says Neil Lennon should get rid of both Vakoun Bayo and Boli Bolingoli now - and that the Belgian left-back should have gone ahead of Jonny Hayes who was surprisingly released last week.

Speaking in his Daily Express column, Nicholas said: "Celtic must pull out all the stops to sign Fraser Forster - even if it means making him the club's highest earner. And if Olivier Ntcham has to be sold to finance the deal, then they should do it.

"Southampton pay Forster around £70,000 per week but I'm sure there's a deal to be done because the Premier League club are keen to cut their wage bill. But Celtic need only look at the 32-year-old's importance to them in the past season. He proved in the big games that he is a match winner.

"I'd offload Ntcham. I don't see him begging to stay as he isn't a regular starter. Boli Bolingoli should also be sold and I would get rid of Vakoun Issouf Bayo in a heartbeat, although it would be hard to get much value for these players in the current market.

"Bolingoli should have been out the door instead of his left-back rival Jonny Hayes."