Trending
Celtic News Now
Celtic Quick News on News Now
Celtic Quick News
You are at:»»Anatomy of transfer negotiations

Anatomy of transfer negotiations

148
By on CQN BLOG & Comments

Getting your top targets in is usually difficult to do in the middle of a transfer window, even more so in January.  The selling club is incentivised to make you wait until the last few days, while they work on attracting a competitive bid.  Whatever your opening bid is, it’s not enough.  Why would it be?

There is a notion that clubs simply have to pay the asking price to get a deal over the line.  What reluctant seller issues an asking price?  Do we have one for Matt O’Riley?  Of course not.  Any bid early in a transfer window for a top Celtic player who was under a long-term contract would be declined with a “not interested in selling” line, no matter what the price was.

If they will offer £X on 15 Jan, they will pay £X+Y on the 27th.  Despite what you read in the newspapers (apparently you do), asking prices are only issued in two circumstances: either when a club is actively trying to sell a player, or when they think the buyer will pay an outrageous fee well above value (some Saudi clubs fell into this category recently).

A simple response along the lines of “We think we can attract a higher bid from England/Germany” is sufficient to stall.  So you open with a bid that you know will be rejected, it is always rejected, then the process either stalls or edges closer to a deal.  If, as reported, Celtic have concluded a deal to sign top target Nicolas Kuhn from Rapid Vienna this early in the month, something else is at play.  Rapid are in financial crisis, dependent on borrowings and have recently failed to meet regulatory obligations.

At the halfway stage in the Bundesliga they are eight points off a Europa League spot.  The Conference League is a more likely target, but they failed to make it through the qualification rounds of that tournament this season, so they will have limited hope of a run in the competition next term.

In these circumstances, “Hard currency, why, sir, that’ll do nicely”, can be compelling.  A desperate need of money (increasingly common in Europe) would test the resolve of any club.  Kuhn is a top target for Celtic, so let’s hope the deal goes through.

Click Here for Comments >
Share.

About Author

148 Comments
  1. Pages:
  3. 1
  4. 2
  5. 3
  6. 4

  1. The returnof weeron on

    BIG JIMMY….

     

     

    Please accept my condolences on the passing of your father. Losing your dad is a tough one.

     

     

    All the best,

     

    Weeron

  2. Bhoyjoebelfast on

    Big Jimmy

     

    Sorry for your loss.Candle shall be lit at Our Lady’s altar Clonard Monastery,Belfast.

  9. Turkeybhoy on

    I have been saying the same since the window opened Paul.Hardly a player signed by anyone so far,well,not for cash.Clubs fighting relegation,trying to get European places,challenging for the top at the halfway stage,unlikely to want to sell their better players.The striker is a problem,for these reasons.Who wants to sit on a bench?.For the love of me I can’t think we would get better than Kyogo.So what do we do?.My initial choice ,Miovski,still seems the safest and best bet .He plays a similar game.No settling in time.

     

    I think we have the midfielder in Bernardo.Cover for GT more important.

     

    Bloody decisions.Worse than bloody opinions.

  13. Greenpinata on

    TB,

     

     

    There is no doubt that Kyogo is a class act.

     

    But he has been missing absolute sitters for the last few months.

     

    He needs competition and we need a penalty box striker who will convert the many, many chances we are creating.

     

    Put simply; our goal ratio to chances created is currently not good enough and needs addressed.

     

     

    Now I know how difficult transfers are in January and cash sales bear this out, however we have publicly talked the talk about needing new players, subsequently our fans expect us to walk the walk.

     

     

    HH.

  16. Big Jimmy on

    Thanks again to EVERYONE for their kind comments after my DA had passed away.

     

     

    He was a very likable character, and he enjoyed a Bevvy, Wummin and a wee Punt on the Horses most days.

     

    He followed Celtic across Europe in the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s.

     

    I was heart broken when he became totally blind and unable to see his beloved Celtic ever again.

     

    He followed Celtic games as best he could with his Radio.

     

    Rest In Peace…the REAL ” BIG JIMMY”

     

     

    Cheerio for now DA…

  18. Fred Colon on

    Oops, I thought I had posted this earlier –

     

    Final score S Korea 3 Bahrain 1

     

    No minutes for Oh

  19. KINGLUBO on

    BIG JIMMY

     

     

    Just read about your very sad loss. Remember, maybe 90, but your Dad, who taught you so much.

     

    Try and recall the good times, eh.

     

    Best to you.

     

     

    KINGLuBO

  20. marspapa on

    ADAM MONTGOMERY

     

     

    Adam will be heading out on loan again this time to Motherwell….

     

     

    Good luck kid, keep plugging away. 💚🤍💛

  22. G Fearon on

    BIG JIMMY, NUMBER ONE SON.

     

     

    Sorry to hear about your father passing, I’m sure all the memories will keep you going through these hard times.

     

     

    Keep your spirits up. I do enjoy your posts.

     

     

    Take care.

  23. Burnley78 on

    I have watched clement in most of their games. He seems to constantly be in the ear of the 4th official every game and contesting anything going.

     

     

    He also acts as if the ghost of Jimmy Bell has told him ‘no one likes us and he shouldn’t care’.

     

     

    I reckon if they lose a game or two he will really lose it.

  30. What is the Starz on

    Kuhn signing off…Lawwell doesn’t think we need any more wingers…

     

    O ‘Riley to Southampton for £6 million plus add ons..

  32. marspapa on

    GENE

     

     

    Maybe Everton could ask sky to broker a couple of extra games to help their finances….

     

     

    Seems it’s possible if you play in blue.

  33. scullybhoy on

    BIG JIMMY

     

     

    Please accept my sincerest condolences on the loss of your father, May he Rest In Peace.

  36. Philbhoy on

    BIG JIMMY on 15TH JANUARY 2024 2:39 PM

     

     

    Thanks again to EVERYONE for their kind comments after my DA had passed away.

     

     

    He was a very likable character, and he enjoyed a Bevvy, Wummin and a wee Punt on the Horses most days.

     

    ==================================

     

     

    Your Da reminds me of someone!

     

     

    When dry January is done with me we will get a beer and a catch up!

     

     

    Take care!

  41. Kelvinbhoy on

    Big Jimmy, sorry to hear your news. Look after yourself and keep thinking of the great times you had with him.

  42. Taurangabhoy on

    Big Jimmy sorry for your loss, may your da big big Jimmy rest in peace. Remember the good times. Take care of yourself.

  1. Pages:
  3. 1
  4. 2
  5. 3
  6. 4