DAVID TURNBULL’S dream £3.25mullion move to Celtic is OFF after it emerged the Motherwell midfielder needs “immediate preventative” knee surgery.
Neil Lennon admitted he had been hopeful a solution could be found after a second medical flagged up a problem, as CQN reported this morning.
The clubs had been in talks following a delay in the deal after a four-year contract had been agreed.
Well insist the Hoops were still keen to sign Turnbull, but that terms could not be struck after the champions submitted a revised offer.
The 19-year-old playmaker will now have an operation and will be out for “an extended period”.
“We will give David all the support he needs during this process,” read a statement from the Fir Park club.
“We wish him the best with his procedure and rehabilitation and look forward to watching him play in claret and amber again in the near future.”
Celtic responded by releasing a statement of their own, describing the outcome as “unfortunate” and thanking both Motherwell and Turnbull.
The statement read: “It is regrettable David will be out of action for a considerable length of time and, clearly, these circumstances are totally outwith the club’s control.
“We did everything we could to find a solution.”
The transfer saga started on June 12 when the clubs agreed a fee for the the Scotland Under-21 international.
A Norwich City offer matching that was also accepted by the Lanarkshire club, but Turnbull chose Parkhead as his preferred destination.
It looked as though everything was done and dusted last Friday before a second medical scuppered the switch.
