Report: Celtic wanted to recoup £2m for Ismaila Soro on deadline day

By David Walton

February 1, 2022

Celtic wanted to recoup at least the £2m they spent on Ismaila Soro in order for him to leave for Fortuna Sittard on deadline day, according to Sky Sports’ Anthony Joseph.

Football Scotland reported last night that the Dutch club were in talks with Celtic about a loan move for the Ivorian. It was reported that Fortuna were willing to pay just under half of his wages with a potential option to buy in the summer.

The website claimed at the time that there had been a sticking point over the potential fee for a permanent move somewhere down the line. And Sky’s Anthony Joseph has claimed that the Hoops wanted at least £2m as the deal eventually fell through:

Football Scotland had reported that there was alternative interest in the player from the USA and elsewhere in Europe. The MLS window opens on February 10th, so there could still be movement there [ESPN].

However, he certainly won’t be heading to the Netherlands at this stage. The transfer window has closed over there just as it has in the UK with a deal falling through.

Soro has featured 18 times under Ange Postecoglou this season, but only 6 of those outings saw him make the starting XI [Transfermarkt].

£2m about right for Ismaila Soro’s worth to Celtic

I spoke yesterday about how Celtic really couldn’t afford to let Soro depart anymore. This was due to the injuries and suspension absences we are experiencing at the moment. So thankfully, this isn’t a move that went through – the risk would’ve been too great.

However, in terms of Soro’s overall worth, £2m feels about the right mark. After all, you can’t forget how well he performed for Celtic in the second half of last season. Sure, standards dropped massively last term, but his reputation was bolstered massively after breaking into the first-team in December 2020.

No, it hasn’t worked out since. Soro has been too erratic, with very poor positional sense and an over-eagerness to commit fouls. His appearances this season have been more frustrating than they have been productive, and that’s certainly a problem.

It remains to be seen whether we get a figure in the region of that from any potential suitors. Transfer windows are still ongoing around Europe and elsewhere. Soro could still depart yet, and Celtic have a right to feel they’ve brought him on enough that his worth shouldn’t be downgraded.

For now, however, it’s important we have him on the books for the game against Rangers. As things stand, we have no alternatives who can play back-up to Matt O’Riley or James McCarthy. Soro will likely be needed at some point against our Ibrox foes.

Here’s hoping he can make the most of any opportunity that comes his way.

In other news, Why there’s still plenty of time for Ajeti, Bolingoli and Barkas to leave Celtic