Celtic are reportedly set to return with a second bid for Brentford star Romaine Sawyers.
According to the Scottish Sun, Neil Lennon wants to have another pop at the midfielder after seeing a £1.5million bid rejected. The Sun also believes that Celtic have competition from Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion for his signature.
The source also states that the second bid could be in the region of £2m. With just a year remaining on his contract (Transfermarkt), Celtic have every right to think they could nab him on the cheap. Interestingly, despite other clubs’ apparent interest, there have been no reported offers from WBA or Stoke as it stands.
Sawyers has made 135 appearances for Brentford since signing back in 2016. Before that, he managed 161 outings for Walsall. He’s only scored eight goals for Brentford, and has assisted 20.
Sawyers has also proven to be one to adapt too. He’s played in a variety of positions over the years. Whilst he’s most comfortable as a number 10, he’s also featured as a second striker, striker, left winger, and right winger respectively.
Second bid to be expected
Not many will be surprised by Celtic’s reported continued pursuit for Sawyers. He appears there to be nabbed by anyone who wants him, and it’s clear that Lennon is a fan.
This isn’t the biggest priority needing sorted, of course. Right-back continues to be a huge concern heading into the Sarajevo clash this week. But despite that, the Sawyers interest isn’t a surprise. Given how things ended with David Turnbull, you could always see Celtic trying to find an alternative number 10.
Sawyers remains an unknown quantity to most. Shopping around in England’s bargain basement perhaps won’t please too many, but nobody can judge until we’ve seen the player play in green-and-white.
As for the bid itself, £2m isn’t that much to a Championship club like Brentford. It wouldn’t be too surprising if they were happy to let the midfielder run down his contract. Celtic will be trying to work out what kind of money is tempting enough for a Championship outfit in this scenario. If Sawyers was nailed down on a long-term contract, goodness knows how much he would be valued at.
Whatever happens, Sawyers can’t play against Sarajevo. Should Celtic manage a deal before July 18th, however, he could potentially play in the second Champions League qualifying round, should we make it.
But, as of yet, Celtic still haven’t reached an agreement with the English club.
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