Celtic target Lawrence Shankland’s potential price revealed

Celtic have been heavily linked with Lawrence Shankland, who has scored a remarkable 19 goals in just 18 appearances this season. And now it has been potentially revealed how much it would cost to lure him to Parkhead.

Lawrence Shankland recently made his Scotland national team debut when he came on as a substitute in their 4-0 against Russia. He would open his account on the international level in the very next game scoring against San Marino. It is amazing that the 24-year-old is anywhere near the Scottish team considering he has not played in the Premiership since the 2014/15 season. And reportedly he is on Celtic’s radar as well.

Shankland began his senior at third division Queen’s Park and quickly earned himself move to Aberdeen. But the step up proved to be too much for the then teenager who failed to find the back of the net in 17 appearances in the Scottish Premiership and spent the rest of his Aberdeen career stumbling from one lower division club to another before finally moving permanently to Ayr United in 2017.

It is at Ayr United that he started to score on a consistent basis for the first time in his career. In 73 appearances for the club, Shankland scored 62 goals. In 2019, he moved to Dundee United and has been unstoppable since then, scoring 19 goals in just 18 appearances as the Terrors sit 9 points clear at the top of Scottish Championship.

This impressive form has seen Shankland being linked with Celtic and it is clear to see why. While Edouard has been absolutely superb for the Hoops, there is not much backup for the Frenchman. Both Leigh Griffiths and Vakoun Issouf Bayo have struggled with fitness and form this season. If Edouard was to get injured, the Scottish champions might be in big trouble. But now Celtic might just have an idea how much the Scottish international will cost them.

Speaking with Nottingham Post, The Courier journalist Calum Woodger said:

"“They recorded a £3.7m loss for the year but do have investment from American owner Mark Ogren to prop them up and are looking good for promotion to the Premiership.“United have repeatedly placed on the record, Ogren, Neilson and sporting director Tony Asghar, that they will not sell in January but a bigger bid of £3-4m may test their resolve.”"

Everybody’s got a price in football. But it will be interesting to see whether Celtic are ready to pay such a heavy price for someone who has already failed in the Scottish Premiership in the past.

Shankland is clearly not the same player that he was back in Aberdeen days though. Over the past three years he has been one of the most consistent scorers in Scottish football. And he might be worth the risk for Celtic as they chase a record-equaling ninth league title in a row.