Celtic supporters were told Kelechi Iheanacho’s return collapsed because his representatives increased their wage demands.
Iheanacho eventually signed for Bursaspor after weeks of protracted Celtic negotiations failed to produce a permanent deal.
But after claims that Iheanacho’s representatives demanded a package worth around £47,000 per week, Bursaspor president Enes Çelik has revealed what the striker is guaranteed to earn in Turkey.
Kelechi Iheanacho won’t return to Celtic. How do you feel Celtic fans? 🤔🍀
Martin O'Neill has defended the call…😬
Bursaspor president reveals Kelechi Iheanacho’s salary after Celtic collapse
Celik has revealed that he was speaking to Iheanacho for over 40 days as he moved to bring the ex-Celtic striker to Turkey.
Celik also revealed the guaranteed salary included in Iheanacho’s three-year Bursaspor contract: “We have been in contact with Kelechi Iheanacho for 40 days. It was a bit difficult. I just watched his training session in terms of shooting.
“He feels different. Furkan Akın had serious contacts regarding the Iheanacho transfer. I thank them all.
“I thank our football department and our Administrative Manager.
“It was important to handle it in a way that was in Bursaspor’s best interests. Iheanacho has a guaranteed salary agreement with us of €1.4million. We made a three-year agreement.
“There are players in our league who earn €2.2m but are not even half as good as Iheanacho.”
The annual sum equates to around £23,000 per week, leaving a huge gap between Iheanacho’s guaranteed Bursaspor wage and the £47,000 package he was reportedly seeking from Celtic.
Celtic’s Kelechi Iheanacho wage explanation no longer adds up
Why would Iheanacho demand around £47,000 per week from Celtic before accepting a guaranteed salary worth roughly half that amount in Turkey?
The £47,000 figure was described as a package, which could potentially include bonuses, signing fees and agent costs, whereas Celik disclosed only Iheanacho’s guaranteed wage.
A difference worth approximately £24,000 every week requires a proper explanation, especially when the higher figure made Celtic’s decision appear financially sensible.
Celtic allowed Iheanacho’s option to expire, spent weeks attempting to renegotiate and then watched him sign elsewhere for a salary that appears well within the club’s means.
Unless the full breakdown of that supposed £47,000 package emerges, supporters have every right to conclude that the public explanation for another failed Celtic transfer simply does not add up.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
