Why Brondby played transfer hardball with Celtic for Mathias Kvistgaarden

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Mathias Kvistgaarden was linked with a January move to Celtic.

Mathias Kvistgaarden has been discussed for a Celtic move for the last 18 months or so but as yet, the young attacker still remains a Brondby player and not at Celtic Park holding a green and white scarf above his head.

Kvistgaarden, at 22, is one of Denmark’s most highly-rated talents and Celtic are clearly keen on securing his services.

However, Brondby put paid to any Celtic deadline day move last night after the Danish club posted photos of Kvistgaarden attending a training session at the club’s winter training camp in Faro, Portugal.

But that might not be the only reason Kvistgaarden is not at Celtic after what the Danish Superliga mid-table club did off the park in January.

• READ MORE: Fans vent about the ‘shocking’ transfer window on deadline day with a split message to the Celtic hierarchy

Brondby’s £16m reason for not selling Mathias Kvistgaarden to Celtic

The Danish league is not particularly awash with cash so many people can understand why Brondby were demanding more than £8m from Celtic for the young winger.

But there could be another reason for the Danes playing hardball. Brondby has just announced a successful share issue where the club have raised £15.9m

Chairman of the club, Jan Bech Andersen, told Brondby’s official website, “This capital injection gives us the opportunities we have wanted. It means that we can work towards continuous participation in UEFA’s club tournaments while at the same time investing in the commercial areas that will support increased earnings and make Brøndby IF even stronger.

“Brøndby IF must be as strong as possible on the pitch and commercially, so we must continue to develop our setup further so that we can fulfil our ambitions.”

What Mathias Kvistgaarden has said previously about links to Celtic

Kvistgaarden is well aware of Celtic’s interest and speaking about his future at his club, the young forward said in January that he feels ready to take the next step in his career.

Kvsitgarden said, “100%, and as soon as possible. Now it’s starting to be time.

“I’ve said for many years that I’m happy to be in Brondby and that I don’t mind being in Brondby, but now I’m starting to find myself in a situation where I want to go out and try something different.

“My plan is for it to be this summer.”