Celtic miss out on Alfie Doughty after multiple bids

By Euan Davidson

January 22, 2021

Celtic and their dismal January window continues unabated, with Alfie Doughty joining Stoke.

The transfer was officially confirmed by the Potters early this afternoon. Stoke City haven’t disclosed the fee, but bids of up to £800,000 from Celtic had been rejected by Charlton Athletic in the summer (The Sun).

It’s another blow for the Bhoys, who can add Doughty to a growing list of transfer failures. Mark McKenzie, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Filip Benkovic also slipped the net for Celtic.

Doughty had looked like a perfect option for the Hoops. Young, pacy and full of potential, he certainly would have addressed a need on the left-flank.

With Elyounoussi and Laxalt only at Celtic until the summer, the versatile Englishman would’ve been an outstanding signing.

At 21, he would also have immense resale value for years to come.

Stoke City manager Michael O’Neill is certainly sure of the ex-Charlton man’s upside. He told the Stoke City website:

“We are delighted to get Alife in. He fits the profile of type of player we want to bring to the Club – he is young, keen and wants to prove himself.

“Unfortunately, he’s injured at present but we have taken the opportunity to sign him now because he was much in demand and we have beaten off a great deal of competition.”

Former Celtic target Alfie Doughty / (Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)

Celtic losing Doughty to an English Championship side is a bad look

If Celtic’s interest had resulted in a January bid, then that’s a bad sign. Either the club just couldn’t agree a fee, or worse: Doughty preferred Stoke to Celtic.

With no disrespect to the Potters, they sit 8th in the second tier of English football (BBC).

If that represents a brighter future for young talents than competing for silverware and playing in Europe, then we’re in trouble.

At least the McKenzie and Osayi-Samuel signings make sense. From McKenzie’s perspective, he had a choice to make between two clubs with a proven record of developing players.

Osayi-Samuel got to switch QPR for Fenerbahçe, which again, is understandable.

This, however, is a sore one. What a month.