As the Scottish transfer window ticks down, there’s still a lot of work to be done, and Celtic are, as usual, playing things close to their chests.
Kris Ajer, the alleged want-away Celt, could yet go and leave us a defensive gap to be filled, so if he is going it would be better sooner rather than later.
That way, we still have time to find a suitable replacement.
In respect to Edouard, there’s a lot of speculation, and a lot of clubs, top clubs, are watching the situation closely.
In response, Celtic have acted firmly by slapping a huge fee on Edouard.
I believe that’s the correct way forward, and I have a couple of reasons for that thinking.
First, Eddie is a vital part of our 10 in a row make-up and a crucial cog in the wheel.
Second, if Eddie should make the breakthrough in the French squad, sooner rather than later, the money for him would be astronomical. That might seem unlikely with the array of talent in front of him, but anything could happen and it’s not out of the question.
We have a good signing in my opinion, with Ajeti. Although he’s not yet 100%match fit but he looks a talent with an obvious eye for goal. He makes the right runs into the box, and looks like he loves scoring. Three goals so far. It’s impressive.
He could turn into the next huge Celtic icon and fans favourite if he continues as he has started, and the £5 million spent on him could turn into another major profit generator in a few years.
Our midfield is swamped; I don’t believe we need anyone else in that department.
It’s the same with the wingers. We seem to have plenty cover in those areas.
Left back remains an area where we do need backup, especially as Bolingoli has now gone.
Competition is needed for Greg Taylor, who needs to work on his cross balls.
The arrival of Duffy, for me, brings us a no nonsense defender from a Celtic supporting household, and a guy who fights to win. He had a superb debut.
For the next few weeks, it’s a chess match, and Celtic are in control, with our pieces perfectly positioned, ready to strike hard.
The chess match is being played primarily against the Ibrox club.
They find themselves still trying their utmost to sell Morelos and a couple of other players; they had a big scare at the weekend.
Unlike ourselves, they need to sell, and their need is so urgent that of their three most prominent players are up for grabs.
Ryan Kent, their best footballer in the campaign so far, looks the most likely to go. The thing is, that wouldn’t be a great earner for the Blue Room board, even if the £15 million offer from Leeds is finally accepted. With a release clause in his deal they won’t get much more.
The largest part of that fee would go to Liverpool for what’s still owed to them for the player, as well as the 25% to 30% sell on clause, and whatever Kent’s own loyalty fee is.
The Mordor club would be left with around £4 million before tax.
Morelos remains their best asset, financially, due to his fee being paid. But if the Blue Room continue to hold out for Monopoly money for the disturbed Columbian, he will go nowhere.
That leaves Barisic, and we have not heard of any actual offers lately for him.
If Kent goes, and I fully expect he will if Morelos does not, it’s my opinion that they be losing their engine and best creative talent, which is all the better for us.
Overall, it is all looking good at Paradise, and with just a couple bows to be tied.
In the meantime, at Ibrox, they need money fast, and that means weakening the field over there at some point.
In my view, 10 in a row looks a better bet with each passing day
Jimmy The Bhoy is a Celtic fan from Scotland … this is his CelticBlog debut.
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