Former Celtic star Frank McAvennie is backing Martin O'Neill to be given a transfer warchest this summer. O'Neill is about to be named as the new permanent Bhoys boss after winning the double during his interim spell in charge.
Celtic fans have been made to wait for the appointment to be made official, but the announcement remains due at any momen. One of the sticking points over talks was said to have been the summer recruitment plans, but former Hoops McAvennie believes there will be significant money to spend.
McAvennie predicts a warchest
Speaking on his 'Let Me Be Frank' podcast, the former Hoop said: "I heard £40million. I think there is a lot of players they need to get rid of.
"I know you are going to be losing money on some of them, but even if you get them out and get the wages."
He added: "I think the boy [Michel-Ange] Balikwisha has got to leave, because I don't think he is going to get a game. Maybe this boy Balikwisha will leave Celtic and be outstanding. I think [Arne] Engels will stay, I think [Benjamin] Nygren will go, [Daizen] Maeda will go and [Reo] Hatate will go. That's my opinion."
Exits could be key to summer spending
Exits could be key in defining how much money O'Neill is given to spend this summer. Reo Hatate looks nailed-on to leave, and he is likely to bring in at least £6million, likely more. Daizen Maeda would likely bring in £20million or close to it, while Arne Engels would bring in even more should he leave.
When youu factor all of those in, £40million in spend would not be a great deal, with Celtic still being in the green in that scenario. Replacing such quality players is not going to be an easy task, and the Hoops also need to get stronger than they were last season to ensure a more dominant campaign.
If they can keep hold of one or two of those players, then the spending total is more realistic if they want to improve, but it's going to be hard for Dermot Desmond to turn down offers above the £20-£25million mark for any player.
What we do know is that O'Neill has been standing firm over summer recruitment, unwilling to take the job unless certain promises are made. That will be music to the ears of Celtic fans.
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