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.
1,085 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- ...
- 29
- »
Chavez
That’s where Brendan and the coaching team earn their money. It’s a clear risk in our strategy of providing a gateway to riches for our foreign youngsters but it can’t be a blank cheque.
Fan-a-tic
It will indeed but itll go in the filing cabinet next to the other p*** poor transfer windows under the same guys watch, but after tomorrow its all about the football, which is a boon
Whoever Moussa pays to run his twitter account needs a kick in the baws. All these cringe likes about club disengaging on promises and mouthing off to French Football News account. Somebody is really pi**ed to be missing out on their % cut today!
oops here she is …in all her Westminster elite glory ..
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dl7OAx9XsAA239z.jpg
smiley Brexit negotiations going well thing
Braw
Speaking of Sunday, I’m booking a 10am breakfast in Coias. POG and Angel Gabriel have signed up. Any more takers?
KTF
Last night it was good to see the subs making a real positive contribution. It was a real throw back to see Izzy launching accurate passes into the box and some of his interplay with Scott Sinclair was sublime. His introduction seemed to really lift Scott’s game as the two of them looked for each other constantly.
Christie took his chance to shine as well. Quick feet, accurate passing and a nose for being in the right place at the right time in front of goal – could be a real threat as a 2nd half sub this season and then who knows. Best of luck to him, he has been patient with his loan moves and not rocked the boat.
If Dembele stays, then sulking until the next window will do him no favours or endear any potential new club. The best thing he can do is bang in a bunch of goals, improve his fitness and get the move he wants on merit, not because he thinks he is entitled to it.
Dembele has been training with the team today.
KTF
Paul Gascoigne has just turned up at Celtic Park with 6 cans, a fishing rod,
Jim Whyte Sky
BIG-CUP-WINNERS on 31ST AUGUST 2018 1:05 PM
DAVID17
What you on about ?
I haven’t referenced anything to do with you.
———
Ok, I misunderstood your post to TTT on page 1.
bejesus these linky things are tricky …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goO_pjFmQfU
smiley but you will want to watch this alot warning thing
Braw
VFR
How can Moussa train and tweet at the same time?
Sheesh csc
VFR
Dedryck wants ‘a liability’ clause in his new contract.
BSR, same as me. He pays minimum wage for some schoolkid to run his social media. However, mines seems the sensible type and his goes to one of those “non-denominational” schools. ?
KTF
I think that’s a pretty tough draw. Although by getting a tough pot 4 team in Rosenborg there is hope that they can take points from the other two teams.
That being said, I think we will struggle to qualify.
There’s a flaw in what you say, Paul. Given that we didn’t want to sell Moussa due to the lack of a replacement, why did we ever let him talk to Lyon if we had no intention of letting him go? Part of the full story is missing.
BSR, he has one in it – his agent who signs it on his behalf. He’s the liability!
KTF
Sunday’s hunskelping 11
3-4-1-2
Gordon
Benkovic Ajer Boyata
Forrest Brown Ntcham Tierney
McGregor or Rogic
Dembele Edouard
If no one at the club thought Moussa may leave this window are either negligent or stupid.
Edouard was signed as Dembele’s replacement, we need a replacement 3rd choice striker if Moussa were to leave. To have no one lined up for such an eventuality (either a long term or short term solution) is either negligent or stupid.
If you have a transfer strategy that buys in young, relatively cheap, players, develop them, then sell them on when an agreed fee is met, then you cannot be seen to be renaging on this strategy or players of the quality we want will stop signing for us.
THEORIGINALSADIESBHOY on 31ST AUGUST 2018 1:19 PM
There’s a flaw in what you say, Paul. Given that we didn’t want to sell Moussa due to the lack of a replacement, why did we ever let him talk to Lyon if we had no intention of letting him go? Part of the full story is missing
——
Did we let him speak or is that MSM ‘at it’ with the facts again ?
TOSL the part that is missing is whether or not his agents acted unilaterally and spoke to Lyon on a hypothetical basis; or Celtic officially gave him permission to speak to Lyon.
As he has been in Glasgow all week, I suspect it’s the former.
KTF
That being said, I think we will struggle to qualify.
Quell surprise CSC
I think the Mulumbu signing is something we needed.
Our balance as a team is not there and it stems from the centre of the park.
Both Brown and Nt’cham are excellent footballers but do not compliment each other.
It’s an area thats been easily exploited by good European teams last season and this.
It neither creates or defends enough.
Still think roles need to be defined better.
Last night McGregor came onto a game in the second and chances created increased.
Why was he so absent in the first with the exception of one good run and chance?
Hopefully Mulumbu’s signing will create a more harmonious midfield and save us from being European fodder.
Better second half, moving the ball quicker. Finishing could still be a bit better.
Good to see Christie getting on – deserves a chance. Hope he gets more opportunities. Could be the player to get those goals with late runs from midfield. All of our good teams have had a player like that.
Mulumbu is a good addition. Thought he was the best non-Celtic midfielder in the league last season. No risk – knows the league up here. Hopefully he knows how to track a runner! Don’t know much about Benkovic.
Benkovic won’t play, Dembele won’t play, McGregor and Rogic will both play. Same starting eleven as 5-0 game.
Are your deadline day deals only going to extend as far as a free transfer for Mulumbu and a loan for Benkovic?
Meanwhile Sevco get another loanee in from the Championship and are planning to sign this winger for a couple million from the Croat team?
You have to wonder what is the point of earning all this money if we don’t invest in the team?
Mind the time Red Bull we’re going to bid £7M for wee Barry MacKay.
Starry Plough 12:22
Spot on. Totally agree.
@ BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 31ST AUGUST 2018 1:24 PM
Being objective really hurts you doesn’t it?
The Hands
Are “your” deadline day deals…..
mmmmmm….
Goes on to compare again against the magnificent efforts of Stevie Gee’s band of journeymen…
double mmmmmmm…….
Neustadt
Are you sue that wasn`t Mr Bean ?
JJ
The Hands
Sevco get another unknown loanee – Celtic knock back £20M
Mind the Gap CSC
Ishihara test,
Good game, great atmosphere and in particular the football in the second half was more like our old selves, as were the fans, however if anyone on here is in contact with Cragie G or big Mik, could they check to see if they have passed the above test please..
H.H
@ BIG WAVY on 31ST AUGUST 2018 1:28 PM
You’ve got me with that typo there. I’m a massive Sevco fan that is imploring Celtic to spend more money. #logic
Big Wavy – it’s not a blank cheque but I reckon Lyon is the biggest/richest club Moussa will play for. He might not get the chance again. I think we should sell but the lack of any forward planning here is laughable. If both him and Boyata are p*ssed off then it’ll have a knock-on effect.
The Hands
Most Sevco supporters think Celtic will struggle to get out of the group.
Absolutely delighted with our group. Trips to Austria and Germany right up meine Straße.
No obvious spankings and I think we can qualify from the group as long as the holes in the sieve get filled.?
Buzzzzzzzzzz:))))