In perhaps one of the more exciting aspects of Celtic signing Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers, the deal comes with an option-to-buy.
That was announced officially by Celtic last night. Their new defensive acquisition, who comes with a power of English Championship experience at only 23 years of age, could stay permanently if the campaign goes well.
However, what hasn’t been announced is the valuation of that option-to-buy clause. There have been no reports of how much Spurs will demand of Celtic next summer if they make a move.
But it appears that Tottenham wanted as much as £5m for the USA international before Celtic nabbed him on loan. The Daily Record reported in early August that Spurs had set a £5m asking price for the defender. It was said that Carter-Vickers was attracting interest from Norwich, Newcastle, and Bournemouth respectively.
The Scottish Sun claimed last night that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy got back to Celtic after the 11pm deadline when he failed to sell him elsewhere. Therefore, any option-to-buy clause will likely be hovering around the £5m asking price.
Cameron Carter-Vickers has big opportunity to move from Tottenham to Celtic permanently
You could see why Celtic weren’t keen to splash another £5m out the window. Especially if it’s for a player who has still to prove himself at this level.
But what the clause does show is an intent from all parties to do a deal next summer. So long of course as the USA defender proves himself to be a success in Scotland.
Celtic fans could be forgiven for having nasty flashbacks to Shane Duffy. After signing him on loan from Brighton last season, we’ve learned not to get too excited by any old signing from the English Premier League.
Carter-Vickers will have to do a lot more to prove himself than by simply showing us his CV. The fact he was part of Nuno Espirito Santo’s Spurs squad in Europe two weeks ago, however, is a promising sign.
Being a Spurs centre-back, Carter-Vickers should be well versed when it comes to distribution from the back. Same goes for his spell on loan with Bournemouth that will have done him no harm at all.
Here’s hoping he can make a bigger impact than our last centre-back signing from the EPL.
In other news, Report: Celtic monitoring young League of Ireland pair
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