Celtic boss tried to sign player now rated at £40 million

Celtic have shown an incredible eye for picking out talent since the arrival of Ange Postecoglou in the summer of 2021. The profile of players that they have brought in over the past few years, you would not expect to have been signed under a different manager. But they have proven to be huge success stories.

In fact, they have changed the way other Scottish clubs are scouting as well, as they are also now looking towards leagues like the J-League in order to strengthen their squads, after watching the success that the Hoops have enjoyed.

Of course, there have been a lot of standout players that Celtic have signed during the time of Postecoglou as the manager of the club. But there have been some deals that they failed to get over the line as well. And there might not have been a bigger miss than Kaoru Mitoma, who has established himself as a superstar in the Premier League since then.

As reported by the Daily Record, Postecoglou said regarding the matter:

"“I did try to get Mitoma but it was already almost done for him to go to Brighton.“In fact, he and Kyogo Furuhashi were the first two players I tried to bring across here to Celtic. Mitoma would have been a great signing but, unfortunately for us, Brighton also have a good scouting network.“They managed to pick him up but there was never any doubt in my mind that he was going to be a top player. He’s done well in the Premier League, which hasn’t surprised me at all.”"

Celtic boss admits that he tried to sign player who is now a Premier League superstar

Of course, this is another example of the eye for talent that Postecoglou has shown during his time at Celtic. Someone like Mitoma would have been an incredible signing for the Hoops but unfortunately it was not to be.

He has gone on to prove himself as a top player in the Premier League though and is ripping apart defences in the English top flight right now.

So impressive has been Mitoma that clubs like Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City and several others are believed to be interested in him. And Brighton & Hove Albion are not expected to let him go for anything lower than a £40 million transfer fee. Even that feels like a lower end estimate.