Lee Buchanan – linked with Celtic in 2021 – has been caught up in a contract wrangle with Derby County, according to Alan Nixon.
The report claims that Buchanan was given an extension to his contract in order to avoid him leaving this summer for nothing.
However, it’s said that there could be a row over whether Derby County were actually entitled to extend his current contract. Nixon reports that the EFL may even need to be called in to settle the situation with the club in administration and currently undergoing a transfer embargo.
It’s also said that Werder Bremen are also keen to sign the player, and that may lead to a row over contractual rights. Derby, however, believe they’ve worked within the rules.
Derbyshire Live, meanwhile, also believes that there is no issue for the club and that the contract extension was allowable. It all comes in the middle of a proposed takeover by American businessman Chris Kirchner.
Celtic, meanwhile, were linked with a move for Buchanan back in October ahead of the January window [Scottish Sun]. However, Wayne Rooney was quick to dismiss any notion that his player would depart [Daily Record].
Lee Buchanan could become a free agent if Derby contract is void
Should there be any outstanding issue here, then it could be the case that Buchanan becomes a free agent. Something Derby would undoubtedly be itching to avoid.
However, even if his contract does stand, there’s no reason for Celtic to be put off making a move. After all, the player will almost certainly be ready for the next step given Derby have been relegated to League One. It makes little sense for him to stick around if there’s a bigger option on the table.
In addition to that, it’s hard to see Derby demanding too much in the way of a payment for the left-back either. Given their financial woes, they aren’t in a position to be demanding big money for a player into the final 12 months of his contract.
Buchanan racked up another impressive 32-campaign with the Rams last season under Rooney [Transfermarkt]. The England under-21 international has certainly been racking up experience in the English Championship. But now would be the ideal time for the 21-year-old to think bigger after his club’s relegation.
Whether Celtic are even still interested in doing a deal for the player is up in the air. But we know that we need a left-back, and Buchanan would undoubtedly provide some solid competition with Greg Taylor.
But first, we’ll need to wait and see what happens with his contract situation.
In other news, Former Celtic star Joe Ledley opens up on retirement and his next steps
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
