Celtic fans have been given an update over Alistair Johnston amid interest from Premier League club Everton this summer.
The Toffees came knocking for Johnston recently having been impressed by the Canadian's fine end to last season and susequent World Cup. Johnston has been a steady and reliable operator for Celtic, and there is little doubting that he is a valuable asset.
Everton initially put off by Johnston price tag
Celtic stood form over their asking price for Johnston, which is understood to have been around £20million. The Bhoys were also far more reluctant to do business ahead of their all-important Champions League qualifiers, which take place on August 18 and 25.
Celtic know the value of qualifying for the Champions League, and selling Johnston before those games simply isn't worth it, especially given how difficult it will be for them to replace Johnston in general, let alone in that short space of time.
Everton are said to have offered around £14million for Johnston, but they were willing to pay £15million, meaning a significant gap between the two clubs' valuations of the right-back.
Everton could still return with fresh interest
Everton's interest is said to have cooled after being priced out of a deal for Johnston, and The I's Mark Douglas has provided an update on the situation. It is reported that Everton are now looking at other targets due to the £5million gap in valuation of Johnston.
But they are not completely ruling out returning for the Canada international at this stage. It's likely the Toffees have accepted they won't get hold of Johnston before those Champions League qualifiers, however, so we can expect any further approach to be after that second leg, which takes place on August 25.
Celtic are still likely to ask for big money, given Johnston is going to be a very tough player to replace, and the Bhoys already have plenty of work to do in the market, still needing to replace Arne Engels as well as strengthening other areas.
Celtic should not be considering a sale
While Everton may come back with fresh interest, Johnston is a sale Celtic simply should not be considering this summer. They have already granted Daizen Maeda an exit, while Engels and Reo Hatate will follow.
Johnston is an exit too many, and with the right-back under a long-term contract, he should be told and convinced to give the Bhoys another season before leaving. Promise him a spot at the front of the queue next summer by all means, but the Hoops can't afford his departure this summer.
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