New Celtic recruit Mohamed Elyounoussi rejected offers from two English Championship sides earlier this summer, according to a report.
Norwegian outlet VG, normally reliable for native players, report that Elyounoussi had loan offers on the table from both Leeds United and Middlesbrough but decided against exploring either option.
German top-flight side Werder Bremen were also said to be keen on the 25-year-old but entered the race too late, after “Moi” had already made his mind up.
Elyounoussi may have rejected Celtic without European football
Elyounoussi, the most expensive Norwegian footballer ever, played 19 times for Southampton in total last season. He failed to net a single goal in those limited appearances and has since dropped out of Lars Lagerback’s national setup.
However, he will hope that finding a new home could be the springboard that catapults him back onto greater things.
The kid is clearly a talent. He netted double figures in each of his four seasons prior to the Saints move. He’s also shown that he can step up on the European stage – netting nine goals while playing for Molde and Basel.
It may well be that lure of European football that convinced him Celtic was the right move. Unlike Leeds, Middlesbrough and Werder Bremen, we can offer a chance for Elyounoussi to succeed both domestically and on the continent.
It also puts into perspective the importance of winning the two-legged tie against AIK. There was an element of the Celtic support who felt the Europa League could act as a hindrance in our pursuit of nine-in-a-row. Now it appears that it may well do the opposite, and actually improve our chances.
Would Elyounoussi have moved if we were just offering domestic football? It’s hard to imagine so.
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