Former Celtic star Chris Sutton can't believe the transfer fee being mooted in the possible sale of Alistair Johnston. The Hoops are looking increasingly likely to lose their starting right-back, with the Canadian now said to have asked the club to allow him to leave.
But Everton are going to have to strike a deal for that to happen, and it has been reported that the Premier League club want a £14million deal.
That will be seen as a particularly low price by Celtic fans, with most believing Johnston is worth in excess of £20million, especially after his superb World Cup with Canada. Sutton agrees with that notion.
Celtic should demand big fee for Johnston, says Sutton
Sutton told The Warm Up: "My biggest worry for Celtic right now, hand on heart, is the Alistair Johnston situation.
"What did [Kieran] Tierney go to Arsenal for? £25million? I think Celtic should certainly hold out for something that. I am seeing the figure £14million, I don't think get that."
It's a good point from Sutton. Transfer fees have exploded in recent times, and it makes no sense that Everton could potentially get a reliable player like Johnston for just £14million.
He is 27 years of age, a proven player and under contract until the summer of 2029. Tierney was younger and arguably more technically talented, given his crossing ability, but the difference is not more than £5million, and Celtic should confidently be asking for £20million.
Beyond the quality of the player, a value should also be, at least partly, defined by how much the player means to his current club, and Johnston is absolutely vital to the Bhoys.
Losing him would be a huge blow, especially with all of the business Celtic still ned to do this summer. Anything under £20million would be a massive coup for Everton, that's the bottom line, and that tells you Celtic are on the wrong end of the deal, even if the player now reportedly wants to leave, which doesn't help the Hoops in their negotiations.
But that's football, and players are always going to want to take up the opportunity to play in a bigger league, and indeed for bigger money.
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