Celtic are going to spend huge money to ensure they are ready for the new season, according to one former favourite.
It has been a slow start to the summer from the Bhoys, but the first new signing has now been agreed, with Qarabag frontman Camilo Duran set to arrive on a deal between £5million and £5.5million.
Much more business is needed, and O'Neill is well aware of that, given the gaps in Celtic's squad currently. A starting goalkeeper and another striker is needed, while Arne Engels and Daizen Maeda likely need replacing.
Celtic need to spend £50m - Sutton
According to former Celtic striker Chris Sutton, the Bhoys might have to spend as much as £50million to ensure they are strong enough this summer.
“It’ll be interesting to see who goes out from Celtic. It looks like Reo Hatate will go, possibly Daizen Maeda, Arne Engels, but they’re big players for the team," Sutton said on Sky Sports News.
“Who are Celtic going to replace those type of players with? Celtic are possibly going to have to spend up to or more than £50million really because the squad does need a rebuild.”
Big spending still feels unlikely at Celtic
Celtic could bring in big money between the sales of Engels and Maeda, with at least £40million likely to come in from those two players alone.
But not all of that is likely to be reinvested in replacements, and the club has been hesitant to spend big money in recent years. Does that change now? A slow start to the summer indicates that it will not, but the evidence is pretty clear.
Celtic's poor recruitment set Brendan Rodgers up for failure last year, and O'Neill has been clear he doesn't want that to happen for him. The veteran boss has demanded strong recruitment this summer, and it will be interesting to see if the Duran signing can be followed up with the slew of additions the club needs this summer.
There are lots of gaps to fill, and the start of the new season is less than one month away. Given those needs, it would be tricky for Celtic not to spend at least £25million, but going to the next level and spending closer to £50million would be a statement, and it would require a couple of big-money signings.
The first dominos to fall will be the Engels and Maeda sales, which will likely need to happen first before any big signings are made.
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