West Bromwich Albion manager Darren Moore has already ruled out Oliver Burke staying at Celtic permanently.
The Baggies allowed their £15million signing to make the switch up north last week. Eyebrows, however, were immediately raised at the prospect of a short loan deal.
Celtic supporters would’ve been hoping that, if the deal was a success, they would’ve had a chance to keep him. But it appears that’s nowhere near the case.
Moore spoke to SunSport recently about his midfield starlet. Despite praising the move to Celtic, Moore stated how much WBA “need him back.”
“Hopefully, we get him back at full throttle. He’s with a quality group of players, a club trying to win the Scottish Premiership.
“He wants to play. It’s been difficult for him. It’s important he doesn’t go and sit around for the second half of the season.
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“We need him coming back in the summer ready and contesting for a starting place at West Brom.”
WBA still have high hopes for him
He may only have scored one goal for the club, but West Brom clearly still have high hopes for their £15million man.
The Scottish international’s main goal is simply to get games and get himself going again. It’s something he’s failed to do in England, but is still rated extremely highly by Moore and his West Brom staff.
It’s an unfortunate early blow for Celtic in his loan spell here. If he’s a success, the Hoops would’ve loved the opportunity to take him on permanently. Even at this stage, however, West Brom’s stance makes that more impossible.
The Baggies would need to likely accept something between £5million-£10million of a loss in him. There’s no way Celtic would match the £15m paid for the former Leipzig man. Getting WBA to accept such a massive hit on him would’ve been difficult had they seen no future for him. nevermind wanting him back in the summer.
Many will simply put two and two together to conclude he won’t be here next season. Burke’s long-term contract combined with what he cost West Brom puts him way out of Celtic’s price-range. Moore’s comments, however, only confirm it.