Saints close on Forren swoop (From Daily Echo)

Molde's Vegard Forren due in Southampton to discuss personal terms ahead of £4m transfer

10:51am Tuesday 15th January 2013 in Sport By Adam Leitch , Chief Sports Writer

Saints are closing in on their first signing of the January transfer window with defender Vegard Forren expected in Southampton today to discuss personal terms ahead of a £4m move.

The Norwegian international was due to start a trial at Liverpool today ahead of a possible permanent switch to Anfield.

However, Saints have stolen a march by agreeing a fee in the region of £4m with his club, Molde, that has been accepted.

• Watch Forren in action on video

Liverpool have told Molde that they don’t intend on matching that bid and so the trial has been cancelled.

Forren was staying on Merseyside last night in preparation for the now aborted trial but is now diverting to Southampton with his agent for talks over personal terms and a medical.

If all goes well then the deal is expected to be completed quickly, albeit probably not in time for Forren to feature against Chelsea tomorrow night.

Saints’ interest has been confirmed by Molde boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who admitted earlier today that the Norwegian club had accepted a bid for the player, who has also been linked with Everton and Reading.

"There have been many inquiries from various English clubs, but Southampton submitted an offer," the former Manchester United striker told Norwegian newspaper Romsdals Budstikke.

"It was very interesting for us and Vegard. We are more or less agreed with the club, but nothing is a hundred percent confirmed.

"Molde is close to a deal, so we'll see if this is something that all parties will go with."

It comes as no surprise as Saints look to bolster the centre of their defence that was already thin on numbers before the injury to Jose Fonte which could sideline him for up to six weeks.

Forren, who won the first of his five international caps in January 2012 and has over 150 appearances for Molde under his belt, was scouted in person at least twice by Everton manager David Moyes recently.

Fulham and Belgian side Club Brugge were also linked with a move for the defender with the latter being turned down due to Forren’s desire to play in the Premier League.

“For me the Premier League is the best place to play football. That is what we are working towards now if there is something there,” he said.

“I want to go to a club where I feel that I am focused on. It must be possible to play regularly throughout the season.

“Playing in the Premier League would of course be a big challenge if I get the chance. It’s a different pace of football. But I have developed a lot through good experiences in the Europa League and with the national team. It gives me confidence that I can perform in the Premier League.”