Celtic are in danger of missing out on another transfer target due to grasping their purse strings too tightly. The Bhoys are having a nightmare of a summer transfer window so far, still on just one new signing despite the new season starting a week on Monday.
A poor recruitment strategy has left Martin O'Neill's squad looking particularly bare, and while Celtic can likely recover from a poor start to the season, as they did last season, the Champions League qualifiers, which start in a couple of weeks, offer no opportunity for recovery.
O'Neill has already spoken in a fearful tone ahead of those qualifiers, and you can understand his concerns, given the lack of recruitment and the departures that will take place this summer, starting with Daizen Maeda, who will join Ipswich Town.
Celtic still coming up short in Baur chase
As reported by Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph, Celtic are still coming up short in their pursuit of Paderborn midfielder Mika Baur, who has been made a key target this summer. The fee is expected to be in the £4-5million range, and yet Celtic still won't meet it.
It's reported Paderborn are willing to lose Baur for free next summer, and would prefer to rather than accepting a bid below their asking price this summer. One has to respect their firm stance, with most clubs not feeling that way about players in the final year of their contract.
But as far as their are concerned, Baur is a vital player who can help them in their first season back in Bundesliga following promotion, and losing him is going to have to be worth the money.
Celtic must face their reality
Celtic chiefs have already spoken about it being hard to attract players to Glasgow this summer, and yet they seem to feel as though they can get their business done without paying even a little over the odds.
The club chiefs seem to be blinded by the size of Celtic as a club, feeling as though they shouldn't have to make any compromises because of it. But the reality is that Celtic are not based in the South of Spain, and they do not play in a league like the Premier League. Players like the biggest leagues, and they like living in glamorous locations, and that's not to insult Glasgow, but there are only so many places that fit into that category, and they are usually warm-weather locations.
If you are asking good players to give up both of those factors, you are going to have to pay more in terms of wages to beat rival clubs. And when it comes to transfer fees, a player's value is the asking price, and if the club won't drop it, it's a case of pay it or walk away.
Celtic could afford to walk away earlier in the window, but they are no longer in that position, which must be recognised. At this point, paying £500,000 over the odds is going to be more beneficial compared to the level of damage that will be done if players are not signed urgently.
That's a position the Bhoys have put themselves in. The Champions League qualification prize money is worth it alone to pay over the odds and get this squad addressed.
And ultimately, Celtic are in a position where they can spend. Between Daizen Maeda, Arne Engels and Reo Hatate, it's likely they will bring in £43million or so, they don't need to be on a strict budget this summer.
Spending just over the odds to do a deal is not spending irresponsibly, and the Celtic chiefs need to learn that, and indeed the situation they are in. Will they? It's doubtful.
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