Celtic are to launch a third bid in the region of £800k for Charlton winger Alfie Doughty, according to the Scottish Sun.
The Hoops have seen two offers booted out by the Addicks, who are desperate to keep hold of their star man for the season ahead.
The Glasgow Times reported yesterday that an offer of around £650k was swiftly rejected by the League One club. However, the Sun believes that Celtic are prepared to increase the fee by another £150k in a bid to get the deal done.
Charlton boss Lee Bowyer has already advised the player not to make a move anywhere for now. Speaking to London News Online last week, Bowyer said: “I think he should stay, sign and do a full season with us – improve more and then see what is on the table for him. Because if he goes somewhere now the likelihood is he ain’t really going to play.”
Celtic are in the market for a both a left-back and a right-winger. With Doughty having experience in both positions, it’s no surprise to see the Parkhead club continue to be so keen on him.
A deal Celtic can get done whenever they feel like it
The smart money will now be on Doughty being a Celtic player in the imminent future. The Hoops clearly have Charlton where they want them in terms of the negotiations, even if the Addicks have been resistent so far.
There comes a point where the League One club will have to accept that a good offer is a good offer. Celtic clearly feel they’re getting close to that number.
Whether £800k does it or not, we won’t have heard the last of this saga. Especially when you take into consideration Celtic’s need for someone in Doughty’s favoured positions.
It does, however, look like a deal that the Hoops want to keep below seven figures. Given how valuable Doughty is to the London club – he scored on opening day against Crewe on Saturday – that may be what Charlton are digging their heels in for.
What’s clear from this saga is that Celtic really like the player. The club wouldn’t be so persistent otherwise, and that’s an exciting prospect for supporters.
However, at the moment, he remains a Charlton player. It remains to be seen if this new offer can be enough to tempt Bowyer’s club.
In other news, we’ve published our predicted XI for tomorrow’s match at St Mirren, with a 34-goal man returning to the line-up.
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