Celtic are said to be hoping to agree a new deal with Kelechi Iheanacho that will protect them against injury risk. Iheanacho joined the Bhoys for the second half of last season, and he initially dealt with injury issues but went on to contribute significantly down the stretch as the Bhoys won a league and cup double.
It's for that reason Martin O'Neill wants the striker back, and there is no hiding that Celtic could also do with another striker after signing Camilo Duran. But with Celtic's delay in signing Iheanacho leading to him missing out on another team pre-season, it's claimed the Hoops will look to agree a contract that will allow them to avoid the risk of the striker getting injured.
Celtic backed to offer Iheanacho 'incentive-based deal'
According to former Everton CEO Keith Wyness, who still has plenty of links in the game, Celtic will offer a cleverly structured deal.
"It's going to be structured as a pay-per-play or heavily incentivised towards appearances. That's probably the only way, but the fact is he (Iheanacho) will take it, I'm sure," he said on the Transfer Insider podcast.
"He managed to pop up and score some great goals in very meaningful games. And so it was almost the classic player playing for a contract. And I think he'll get one.Â
"He'll get a reasonable basic wage, but it will be heavily appearance-based. And I think both parties will be happy. If he keeps himself in reasonable shape, then of course he can collect on that.Â
"He understands the game and the experience he's got has been crucial for Celtic. I think they'll come to a situation where both parties are happy. But it'll be heavily incentive-based in terms of protecting against those injury situations."
Celtic missed a chance to prepare Iheanacho
What's strange about the Iheanacho deal is that Celtic could have had these talks weeks ago. Had they done that, they could have given Iheanacho the one thing O'Neill told him he needed - a pre-season.
The striker will, of course, have done work with his own people, but he will now likely sign back up with Celtic just a week or two before the start of the new season. That's asking a lot, and there is an inherent increased risk of injury, and indeed of a slow start to the season. The delay is difficult to understand.
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