I heard earlier this transfer window that the club didn’t expect an offer for Moussa Dembele. There was interest a year ago, but a year of injury, then a fresh injury at the start of this season, convinced all that the player would be with us until January, at least.
When Real Madrid invoked a buy-out clause for Lyon striker Mariano on Wednesday, the French club were prepared to throw a lot of money around to buy a replacement, and their primary target was Moussa Dembele.
There are millions of euros at play here. Agent fees alone would be in seven figures, while the contract available for the player would dwarf anything Celtic pay. In addition, they were prepare to offer Celtic a lot of money. So what do you do?
Celtic were not planning to sell Moussa Dembele, just as they were not planning to sell Kieran Tierney in July. The club gave very clear messages to Lyon that they would not entertain a bid. Note Lyon president, Jean-Michel Aulas’ comments “I know the boss at Celtic well. He is basically like a bulldog who negotiates after yapping.”
The assumption in Lyon was that after Peter Lawwell’s “yapping” there would be some negotiation. Lyon expected Celtic to roll over, but Celtic did not bite.
The choice was to pocket the money without buying a direct replacement (as it was too late), or reject the offer. The sale was not even considered, by the manager or board. As we saw three weeks ago with Boyata, Celtic do not need the money, what they need is talented footballers.
It was right to reject the offer. Not just because we need players more than money, but because if we fold under player pressure, we will only encourage more ‘sore back/not the right frame of mind’ scenarios when contracted players are tapped up during a qualification campaign.
The football business is incredibly unstable. We contract players, who, if they succeed, will soon be able to earn millions of pounds per year more than we will ever pay them. You either sell when the big offers come, or turn your face to stone and sell when you are ready.
I don’t know if playing hardball this month will stop this happening again, but folding would guarantee tantrums every time a player receives an 80€/week offer. We could be sitting this morning with all the money in the world, but a little light up front. That’s not the plan and never has been.
The first piece of business today was the signing of central mid, Youssouf Mulumbu. Youssouf’s career came off the rails when he broke his metatarsal weeks after joining Norwich three years ago, but a cameo half season at Kilmarnock convinced Brendan Rodgers to move. Welcome to Celtic, Youssouf.
Let’s get Filip Benkovic signed up, and spank Newco back into their dystopian existence on Sunday. Oh, and Malmo and Sarpsborg would do nicely in the Europa.
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Paul67
No there’s no
@ LENNYBHOY on 1ST SEPTEMBER 2018 12:16 PM
The only area of the pitch you could argue with certainty that we came out stronger than before the window was the defence. We didn’t sell anyone and we got two players in. One may be a starter the other is much needed back-up for KT. Of course, this is caveated by the fact the potential starter is a loan player and the back-up cost nothing as well, so not exactly a lot of investment; and further, we didn’t get a right back which seemed a priority to both manager and support alike.
However, I don not think there is a cogent argument that we have strengthen further up the pitch, in fact, I think we are weaker:
We are down our star striker. We are weaker in that department.
In midfield, we sold a player for £7m and replaced him with a free agent on the last day of the season (obviously not in high demand). Mulumbu may provide cover, but you can’t argue we have improved in this area.
On the wing we lost Paddy back to Man City, a player worth a supposed £10m and now on loan in La Liga. He is replaced with a Scottish Championship player costing £300k and a young Aussie player who cost Man City £250,000. A player worth £10m v two worth a combined £0.5m. It’s very difficult to argue that we have improved in this area, unless we are allowed to play with 12 men and Morgan and the Arzani on the wing at the same time.
Is this (not for the sensitive and easily offended) a metaphor for the transfer window?
http://alturl.com/kbby2
Hail Hail
Matt
BIG WAVY:
No, the “for profit” model works.
It is detrimental to the continuing success of the football team.
Even Brendan acknowledges the difficulties it presents.
Most reviled former Celtic players in recent times.
straight in at number 2 Moussa Dembele (La grosse merde)
1. La Petite Merde
2. Moussa Dembele (AKA ‘La grosse merde’)
3. Mark Viduka
4. Andy Walker
Norrie
Sent p a text
The Hands
This argument that we have verifiable proof in the past versus no predictable data on the future is always going to be heavily weighted to an argument that proves your case.
What if ?
– Our goals shipped this season improves vastly. Benkovic is a star and Boyata too. Ajer improves.
– OE hits 40 goals
– SS comes back to form.
– Arzani keeps JF ion his toes and contributes. Becomes a real star for us.
Yada yada yada…
Then we judge. Surely ?
Turkey Bhoy
You like to claim you are stating facts on Brendan’s spending
Line 1 in your list Moussa Dembele @ £5m
Let’s get facts right then
Moussa Dembele was £500k
Fact
James
Every strategy has problems and risks.
What if we hit another treble and reach a last 8 of the Europa off the back of this squad ?
I think our performance against the model has waned and I’m looking at Lee Congerton as a major part of that problem.
Big W- i think we can play out of contract guys anytime.HH
385 fact
New article up bhoys☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️
Glad to see the back of Moussa now.
Hunskelpers can act like fuds I suppose
Good riddance son. Tarnished now in my mind.
YNWA
I wonder if mousse will have a crack at unsettling our other 2 French guys , they were all very close . I can see it happening . If I were Brendan, I would watch the situation closely , and this time prepare early for it .
My friends in Celtic.
In the real world, every single one of our players is for sale. Our next door neighbours fling crazy money about. They can also offer treble what we can pay. It is that simple.
Reading back, ” we could have built a team round McGinn ” . Possibly, but if he excelled a crazy offer would have inevitably followed.
To reitterate what has been stated many times: we are a massive club with a massive support and a distinguished unbroken history, but we are not classed as a major player in financial terms.
Deep down we all know that, we deal with it then move on.
However we have training facilities and a youth set up to rival the best. This is where we are entitled to ask; Are we getting enough from our investment?
HH and COYBIG tomorrow.
PS: How about writing into contracts ” Social media participation is not permitted at this club”
For me, The only surprise from this window was not MD leaving… that was a certainty. I had expected, following on from what I see as our Board’s view of The world (Old Firm sells tickets), that we would sign an aging, but Irish, striker (I was expecting Jon Waters or Shane Long) as the window closed.
It would have checked our two KPI’s: allow Sevco to get closer (competition is better for the bottom line), and plays to Celtic’s perceived history (and would whip up the zombies when an Irish player runs out for us )…. and, again, OF parochialism is what both Celtic and Rangers are selling).
If there were truth in advertising, Celtic would get rid of Jocks quote about the jersey not shrinking to fit inferior players, and replace them with pictures of Dermott Desmond saying “[Rangers are] needed for Scottish football because of their following, the size of the club and especially their history. We certainly would like to contest with them every week.”
This is how I feel today.
Not sure if I am still a Celtic supporter as I am sick of being a customer.
Been a shareholder for over 20 years…effectively a free loan to the club as it was a real emotional investment…but as a mere customer I might start looking at that share price. I wonder if there are any others like me.
Bought the goods, Celtic tv, went to games when I came home…for what…dreams and hopes and History.
The incompetence of the recruitment since Brendan’s first transfer window has been unbelievable.
People are talking nonsense that any additions to our defence would not have made a difference.
We need to…
Oh who gives a shit. I can’t be bothered even finishing this…..
ITALIABHOY on 1ST SEPTEMBER 2018 7:54 AM
So, where do we stand this morning after that window?
*while I agree with most of what you say I must question the following:
“Midfield-wise, we lost out on our top target, McGinn, a natural replacement for Brown and future captain-for-life. This transfer collapsed due to our arrogant low-balling of Hibs, and our complete failure to anticipate other clubs being interested in him. A real amateur hour fiasco and a mistake which I believe we will be talking about for years to come.”
*As far as I can see not so, there wisnae a chance that wee scheitd putrid or dumpster would sell tae us, he has a history there, only the strong willed WGS and Broonie, 2 real hibbees, thwarted one of his attempts, the best 5m we will ever spend for the latter.
Incidentally, like his ceo he was never a hibbee fan and only got appointed tae the board after as managing director of investment bank Quayle Munro advising good guy Tom Farmer, a supporter of the international development charity Mary’s Meals, in his his rescue of the club from receivership in 1991.
BTW Jock was after a few Hibs players after he left them including Peter Cormack, the only one he got was Pat Stanton in the twilight of his career after he fell out with turnbull and Dixe Deans signed on a Saturday night was NOT Jock’s first choice, that was Drew Jarvie but there was no way that shower at broomfield would sell him tae us.
Delaneys,
Please tell me you didn’t go to Holm Park. I was told the Bankies were playing there, turned up and there weren’t even any goalposts !! Place is shut.
Ended up at the Partick v Morton game. Pie was tasteless, juice warm, refereeing abysmal – great day out !
NegAnon2 on 31st August 2018 9:56 pm
Honestly disgusted. End of my relationship with Celtic. Gone and done.
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