Celtic are all about identifying talents early on in their careers, bringing them to Parkhead, developing them and then transferring them for hopefully a significantly larger fee than what they had shelled out in the first place. This strategy has often frustrated the club’s supporters but at the same time, it is perhaps the only way that the Hoops can remain competitive in the modern game.
Celtic have signed many top-quality players over the years, who have gone on to achieve big things in the game. The first name that would come to mind in this regard is that of Virgil van Dijk.
But then, there have been plenty of missed opportunities over the years as well. One of them appears to be Moises Caicedo, who recently became the most expensive player in Premier League history with Chelsea shelling out a £115 million transfer package to sign him from Brighton & Hove Albion.
As reported by The Mail+, a former Celtic scout noticed the potential of a teenage Caicedo. He reckoned the club could sign the Ecuadorian wonderkid for a transfer fee around £1 million. The recommendation was sent back to Glasgow. The player’s name was added to ‘the list’ but soon it turned out to be too late.
Celtic missed chance to sign £115m player for £1 million
Caicedo quickly made a name for himself and was being linked with clubs like Manchester United. Ultimately, he would end up signing for Brighton & Hove Albion for a £4.5 million transfer fee.
It has proven to be the right step for him. He is one of the best midfielders in the world right now at just 21 years of age and has moved to Chelsea in a £115 million transfer.
For Caicedo, things have worked out brilliantly and he could not have hoped for anything more. But Celtic fans have been left wondering what could have been if they had moved quickly for him.