Celtic have reportedly been told how much they will need to pay to make Mohamed Elyounoussi’s loan move into a permanent one.
The Daily Record is reporting that Southampton are looking for £9 million from the Hoops – the same price Celtic paid to sign Odsonne Edouard in 2018.
The report goes on to reveal that wages are not an issue for the Hoops, as the player is being paid on a level with some of Celtic’s top earners.
Has been excellent for the Hoops this season
Elyounoussi has been missed for Celtic since picking up an ankle injury. He has been limited to one appearance since the injury, where he played for 45 minutes in the Betfred Cup Final but didn’t look fit, and was subbed at half-time.
He has had an excellent season for the Hoops up until the injury, scoring seven goals in 13 games. The player has added an extra dimension to the team, since joining on loan from the Premier League side.
Celtic have played some of their best football of the season when he has been in the team, and Neil Lennon will be hopeful that he makes his return from injury sooner rather than later.
Club has decision to make
For the moment though, Lennon and Peter Lawwell look to have a decision to make about the player. There is no question that Celtic can afford the fee for the player. £9 million is not out of the club’s price range. The question is – will they pay the fee, especially when the team is also looking for a striker?
You also have to take into account when would the transfer take place? Would it be in the summer window, or in the January window? Those are the elements that Celtic will have to weigh up when it comes to possibly signing the player.
Celtic are a better team with Elyounoussi in the side, but it remains to be seen if that will become permanent.
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