Celtic have £10 million+ dilemma as they suffer major blow

The global pandemic’s financial impact on football means this is not the time for Celtic to be gambling with potentially tens of millions of pounds in transfer fees.

This is not the time to be gambling with potentially tens of millions of pounds in transfer fees. Even relatively cash rich clubs like Celtic are hit hard by the financial impact of the global pandemic, so any situations which will be very costly will need close scrutiny. The club need their focus and wits about them, so inane distractions like the Bolingoli situation don’t help one bit.

Media reports such as on Glasgow Live are indicating that Odsonne Edouard is now unlikely to sign a new Celtic contract. That doesn’t mean he won’t be here for 10-in-a-row, but it does increase the possibility that he may yet be off in this transfer window.  Let’s face it, he’s leaving at some point. The risk is balancing the timing with the effect on the season and results against the value and potential transfer fee.

When Celtic let Edouard go then there has to be a significant replacement brought in, that’s not going to be easy either. For every Edouard like potential out there to be bought, there are several Bangura’s, Bayo’s and Balde’s that just won’t cut it for the Hoops. And splashing big money still wouldn’t be at the level necessary to guarantee goals. The potential signing of Ajeti, isn’t the answer to this dilemma however welcome it might be.

Next summer Edouard enters the last year of his Celtic contract. Typically that means significantly lower sales fees. The Parkhead board need to decide if they will be better off taking the risk of a lower fee while hoping Edouard’s goals and assists can see us through to a successful league season. Securing 10IAR is not just about the title and the history, nor bragging rights in Glasgow. It will bring in money too, can that fill the potential transfer fee gap? Can the board resist a sale and take the gamble. It’s not the best of times for financial gambles though.

The pressure builds with more reports of interest in Edouard from the English Premier League. Leeds remain very interested, Brighton have just indicated they are keen too. Arsenal are on the interested list along with Manchester United and Spurs. Celtic probably have more to fear from the latter three clubs than the others. But it’s still all making for very nervy times.

The good news is that fans and the board need to only hold their nerve until the transfer window closes. The bad news being, that’s not until October. Perhaps Champions League qualifying success will have an effect on who stays or who might come. We’ll all have to wait and see on both points.