SHANE DUFFY’S expected switch to Celtic has been put on hold.
The Republic of Ireland international defender had already had talks with Neil Lennon about agreeing a season-long loan deal at the champions.
And, despite interest from West Ham, Newcastle, West Brom and Leeds United, it looks as though the 28-year-old centre-back will clinch a switch to his boyhood idols.
However, the move has been put on pause as the Hoops close in on a new deal for Motherwell midfielder David Turnbull.
Brighton are refusing to budge on their demands for a l fee for a temporary move for Duffy and will insist on £2million up front for a player who cost just double that four years ago when he joined from Blackburn Rovers.
They also want the back-four operator’s wages to be paid in full, according to a report in the Daily Record.
But the Parkhead outfit are reluctant to fork out those kinds of sums for a player only to see him return to the south coast after one campaign.
The Hammers are also attempting to put a deal together, but gaffer Davie Moyes admitted yesterday they may not be in a financial position to splash the cash.
He said: “I’ve always been more interested in the players we’ve got than the ones who are at other clubs, so I think the improvements we made from the restart after lockdown were good
“We’ve got some bright young players and some players who are improving, so if we can add to it, great, but as I’ve reiterated a few times, the owners spent a lot of money over a year ago and I’m sure we don’t have that amount of money available to spend again.”
That could leave the field clear for Celtic, but there will be some tough negotiating done before Sunday’s kick-off with Motherwell in the east end of Glasgow.
