Celtic's Mika Baur holdout remains deeply confusing, especially compared to their upcoming signing of Haissem Hassan. The Bhoys will close the signing of Hassan within the next couple of days, paying £6million plus a further £3million in add-ons, and a big chunk of those add-ons could come into play as soon as the end of this month should the Hoops qualify for the Champions League.
Celtic have been chasing Hassan for much of the summer, and they ultimately found a bridge to Oviedo's demands with the add-on formula. But what on earth are they doing with Baur?
Celtic hold-up over Baur transfer is confusing
Celtic's interest in Baur is no secret, but at this point, they remain at deadlock with Paderborn, who don't want to sell for less than their asking price, which is expected to be around £4.3million to £4.5million.
The newly promoted Bundesliga side are happy to run the risk of losing Baur for free, with the midfielder in the final year of his contract. Baur has been an important player for them, so they would prefer to use him until the end of his contract rather than lose him for less than their value.
Celtic are said to have offered around £4million, meaning there is only a £500,000 gap, and even if we are extremely generous and say the gap is £1million, it certainly isn't any more than that. The Daily Record say Celtic have not walked away from the deal at this stage.
The Bhoys could welcome £25million for Arne Engels alone this summer, while they will land big prize money if they qualify for the Champions League, and still significant prize money if they qualify for the Europa League instead.
So, what's the hold-up? Celtic are desperate for midfielders, so why the hold-up? Whether it's simply paying the extra or tying add-ons to the deal, like they did with Hassan, it feels as though the deal should be much easier to do.
We are not inside the negotiations, and there may be more at play, but whatever the case, Celtic are making too much money this summer to be hanging around over a relatively nominal amount.
The Hoops have major needs in midfield, likely needing two midfield recruits, and they must recognise that their needs are greater than their need to save money. Baur is clearly a player they want, and now it's about finding the formula to make it work. A standoff between the clubs will achieve nothing, and Paderborn have made it clear they are willing to hold out for as long as it takes.
Add us as a preferred source on Google