Celtic target Ali McCann will be staying with St Johnstone unless they lower their asking price, according to the Belfast Telegraph.
The Hoops had the player watched twice last season before Ange Postecoglou was appointed manager. The first came back in November in a league match against Motherwell [The Courier]. The second in the Scottish Cup semi-final against St Mirren back in May.
However, since Postecoglou has been appointed, speculation surrounding a move for the midfielder has since toned down. Celtic signed James McCarthy to bolster their midfield ranks in the summer.
And it looks as though McCann will be staying put for now. The Belfast Telegraph report that the £3m valuation placed on the player’s head by St Johnstone is too high for clubs to meet.
Unless that demand is lowered, it doesn’t look as though clubs will be making their move. St Johnstone, meanwhile don’t appear in any rush to sell.
Ali McCann to Celtic appears a no-go for the moment
McCann is undoubtedly a talent. He’s shown terrific maturity for St Johnstone and already has just under 100 senior Saints appearances to his name at the age of 21 [Transfermarkt].
Celtic, of course, have the finances there to make a move if they want to. But it appears that even we are put off by the prospect of splashing out £3m on the Northern Ireland international.
McCann’s contract at McDiarmid Park runs until the summer of 2023. That means there will be no pressure for Saints to sell in January either. We could have to wait until next summer before McCann’s valuation drops to any degree.
Of course, that comes with its own risks. All of a sudden, he could become affordable for many other potential suitors in 12 months. And considering he showed his class in Europa League qualifying action against Galatasaray, his stock is rising.
This would be a disappointing one to miss out on altogether. Celtic, if they’re going to wait for now, need to be on this next summer if McCann continues to improve. We’ve seen in the past just how profitable it can be to snap up the Scottish Premiership’s best young talent.
For now, however, McCann to Celtic appears to be off the agenda.
In other news, Confirmed: Celtic-linked Troy Deeney signs for Birmingham City
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