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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CelticResearch reporting that Brendan is 45 minutes late for Lennoxtown Press Conference, what’s that about?
if MD doesnt train with the team today, does he play on Sunday (assuming VFR is correct and he isn’t sold)?
WITS,
Thanks.
BCW,
Thanks. I think!
Celtic let two players leave after late bids come in, with no time to source adequate replacements.
Sack the Board.
Celtic resist two late bids, ( one at the eleventh hour), and refuse to let the players leave without adequate replacements.
Sack the Board.
Don’t tell me that there is no agenda at work here, from rebels without a clue.
@BilelGhazi
first Advanced, Celtic is ready to validate the departure of Moussa de Leon for Lyon but starting in January (to find a replacement). The player wants to join Lyon today!
STV’s Raman Bhardwaj tweet:
‘Plot thickens. 10-15 minutes or so into training, Dembele and B Rodgers have a chat. Dembele leaves training.’
===============================================
“C’mere Moussa… Get. Tae. F###”
BIG WAVY
I prefer to call it Peterish.
Power struggles are not good for morale.
And with our absentee landlords love of profit i can only see one winner no matter what the fans think.
Why do we let folks from the media watch our training?
I think Moussa would be the type to take his anger out on some huns
HH
Should we receive £20M or whatever for Dembele, Celtic will simply sign another striker for £20M before the deadline in a like-for-like move.
Walking through Bridgeton to the game last evening I thought that PL had had enough and had gone over to the dark side. The colour and number-plate seemed to match, if not the location….but youse can all decide for yersels.
http://alturl.com/o2vyz
Hail Hail
Matt
Excellent summary of what it means to support a PLC:
https://thecelticblog.com/2018/08/blogs/all-the-key-issues-appear-settled-for-the-day-this-is-everything-until-january-then/
GLASSTWOTHIRDSFULL on 31ST AUGUST 2018 2:11 PM
Salzburg probably favourites. Excellent recruitment setup.
My Lazio supporting friend says they were decent but not great, and Lazio bought their best player in the Summer. But his decent is probably a lot better than ours :)
Given our recent record against decent European team think it’s long odds we go through
Feels like the ‘Banter Week’ for the lurking Huns on here . Behave yourself’s Bhoys
Aye, they think they’re clever and we don’t know who they are!
JAMESFORREST 1219
I’m kinda fed up just agreeing with you,but I was out for a beer or six.
So,aye. Shocking state of affairs.
I don’t know if our business is done.
Dembele walked of the trading ground after 15mins.
Don’t take issue with much of what appears from Paul above. However this ongoing perception that almost every club can offer astronomical wages beyond ours is a misnomer. We cannot offer £80k per week or £70k per week. We could but we would find we couldn’t employ many more footballers for what would be left.
That said, how many clubs do offer and can’t offer these wages are in the low 10s not the 100s.
Where do you think Celtic tank in terms of turnover against other European clubs? Wages should be 60% of turnover at most.
Lyon can clearly afford £70k per week with a turnover in the top 20 of European clubs. What is it £300m? So using the 60% rule you would expect their wage bill to be 3 times ours? 4 times would be stretching it to being unaffordable for Lyon. I would be very surprised if Lyon offered more than Memphis Depay for example.
Brendan Rodgers says Moussa Dembele was ‘better to be inside’ and it was ‘important to protect the environment’ at training
Says nothing has changed from last night but will see what changes before the window closes
‘Highly unlikely’ Dembele will play against Rangers on Sunday
what time does the window actually close? is it 10 or 11?
Just wondering if I have time to hide all my assets from VFR…
:)
Brendan:
– Hasn’t gone into cryptic messages with Moussa. Will deal with it internally.
– Brighton comment 150% wrong, never said it.
Proverb. fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. After being tricked once, one should learn from one’s mistakes and avoid being tricked in the same way again.
Brendan:
– Money is paid into players’ bank account every month. They have to work for it
– Disappointed if Moussa’s Twitter comments are directed at him after all he’s done to develop him
Brendan:
– Club made its stance clear to Moussa
-Negativity can impact squad
– Players handle disappointment differently
– Managers job to protect club
Brendan:
– Was in contact with Brighton last wondow but that wasn’t about Moussa.
– Being a Celtic fan and knowing the size of the club he wouldn’t say it (Brighton) is a bigger club
– Club will decide internally today on his (Dembele) future
Would love to think the Dembele situation is a tactical strategy to fool the huns before he appears for his customary hat trick on Sunday.
Brendan:
– Benkovic is a 12 month loan.
– Aggressive on ball.
– Ready for this level at 21.
Mike
One minute to midnight 23-59
@ MULLET AND CO 2 on 31ST AUGUST 2018 2:37 PM
Lyon’s turnover for 16/17 was £144m. But not in the same league as the big boys.
Mulumbu:
– Given number 27
– Been keeping fit with personal trainer.
– Heard about Celtic interest 2 weeks ago
– Know some of the players
– My experience will help younger players but I still have the legs
Saw the Moussa tweet from last night about ‘a man without his word is nothing’ – that of course doesn’t apply to players who sign a contract and then decide they want more money and decide -I’m off
Timjim
Thanks… that’s plenty time
Know a good/dodgy bank account in Switzerland or the Cayman Islands (I prefer the warmth)..
Wonder if I could give myself an EBT?
Hot Smoked …
Mr Bean would be doing a far better job of both the dancing and Westminsterit…did you know his brother is a huge UKIPPER….up for a top post in the racial land party…
smiley not a lot of people know that thing
Braw
Brendan Rodgers has ruled Moussa Dembele out of Celtic’s plans for Sunday’s derby against Sevco.
Seemingly Dembele left training ground at high speed at 1.45pm.
@GO TELL THE SPARTIM
That’s our inner chimp talking.
Can’t stress enough the insights to Brendan and Chris Davies [one] would get after reading The Chimp Paradox.
If Compper really is let go, then my fave pick of the Free Agents is still on the wire: Serdar Tasci
31. 6’2″
German Turk
Stuugart > Spartak Moscow > Bayern Munich
Played 15 times for Germany.
Did miss 20 days of last season with injury though.
But he’d be worth a year’s deal in my opinion.
Of course, Loïc Perrin (St Ettienne) and ANDREA BARZAGLI (Juventus) are surplus to requirements at their clubs…
Did Moussa’s hamstring go as he sprinted from the training ground?
Absolutely first rate comments from Brendan, on every subject.
Suddenly I feel optimistic again for some reason.
BIG CUP WINNERS,
I put it on here a couple of days ago,whats been given to Brendan to spend.Almost £ 30 million.Facts.Every player bought.Some dont want to know this.Not my problem.