Timothy Castagne’s price-tag has taken a huge hike by Atalanta.
The Italian outfit have slapped a £10million tag on the Belgium international, according to the Scottish Sun.
The Serie A outfit don’t want to lose one of their star-men this month. That’s despite the fact he has been in-and-out of the side this season.
Celtic were only reportedly willing to spend around £5million on the right-back. A replacement for Mikael Lustig is essential in this transfer window, as the Swede looks to be on the decline.
Yet, the narrative seems to be that a £10million price-tag is too much for Celtic to afford. If we’re all being honest with ourselves, however, then that just simply isn’t the case.
The Hoops have already splashed out £9million on Odsonne Edouard this season. The Frenchman has been a terrific signing, and will prove to be of real value to Celtic in the long-run.
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Chief Executive Peter Lawwell has always stated in the past that Celtic can afford to break the bank on signings if they deem them worthy. That’s now the main question that is to be asked of the Celtic board and manager at this time.
Celtic have the money, but do they want to part with it?
Atalanta clearly don’t want to sell at this stage. It’s therefore down to the Hoops as to whether they want to part with money at the very least close to eight-figures.
Two successive Champions League qualifications in recent seasons have been combined with money from the sell-on fee for Virgil Van Dijk. This has raked in close to around £50million on transfer fees and performance-bonuses alone. That’s not to mention the money earned from this season’s Europa League run.
Celtic clearly have the money available to step up and sign a player like Castagne. Regardless of whether it’s as high as a £10million transfer fee, the club have the cash available to splash out.
It seems to be that whenever clubs add a few several million onto a player’s price-tag, it’s reported as though Celtic can’t afford it.
More often than not, however, the Hoops simply choose not to go for the deal. But if the club want to start being a competitive European club again, it’s time to start spending like it.
Could it be different this time with Castagne? Unlikely, but the importance of signing a new right-back could make the club willing to speculate more.