Celtic held an option to keep Kelechi Iheanacho and had a manager who wanted him back but they still allowed Bursaspor to spend weeks convincing him to leave.
Martin O’Neill wanted to re-sign the striker and pushed for a quick agreement but Celtic still failed to complete it.
Iheanacho has not explained exactly why the Celtic talks collapsed but in his first Bursaspor interview, the Turkish second-tier club clearly did not need long to convince him.
Kelechi Iheanacho won’t return to Celtic. How do you feel Celtic fans? 🤔🍀
Martin O'Neill has defended the call…😬
Kelechi Iheanacho explains Bursaspor project Celtic failed to match
Some Celtic supporters believe Turkey’s tax system may have made Bursaspor’s offer more valuable than what headline figures suggest. That could help explain the wage difference, but it does not explain why Celtic allowed their option to expire.
Iheanacho said Bursaspor’s promotion plans were enough to make him push for the transfer himself.
The former Celtic striker said, “To be fair, Bursaspor is a big team in Turkey, and I heard they won the Turkish Super League before.
“When I heard the project they have, and how they want to go all the way to the Super League and play in Europe as well, I said this is a big project and it is very good for me to come and be involved and help the team.
“So I asked my agent to make sure he did everything possible to make sure I came to Bursaspor. There is a big project and I hope I am going to be part of it and help the team.”
Iheanacho did more than praise his new club. He admitted he told his agent to make the move happen.
Celtic signed him on a one-year deal with an option for another season and then allowed that option to expire without securing a new deal.
Why Iheanacho says Celtic exit was no step down
Iheanacho was also asked directly whether dropping into Turkey’s second tier was a step backwards.
The Nigerian continued, “To be fair, it is not a step down. I think it is a really good project here. We want to move forward and move to the Super League. That is my target and I think that is the target of the whole club.
“This club is a big club, it is a huge club, and there is nothing lower I can see in it. All I can see is the future ahead of us.”
Bursaspor’s president says the club pursued Iheanacho for around 40 days before offering a three-year contract worth €1.4 million annually. That salary does not explain how Celtic lost a striker O’Neill wanted to keep.
O’Neill said he thought an agreement had been reached. Celtic held the option and had a manager who wanted him. However, Bursaspor still got the deal done.
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