Celtic’s summer transfer window wasn’t without action, with lots of deals done in and out of the club. While some fans may feel the Bhoys could have strengthened more, Brendan Rodgers has welcomed nine new signings to Celtic Park.
Inevitably the amount of money spent by the board will be judged, positively or negatively, by observers and supporters – especially with the context that a record turnover is expected to be announced in the next set of annual financial results.
So how much did Celtic actually shell out in the transfer window, taking all into account? All figures listed below do not include reported add-ons or sell-on clauses but have been sourced from consensus reporting around the players involved.
There are a couple of minor undisclosed fees we have not used in totals, as well as youth loans, free transfers and the as-yet unconfirmed status of Albian Ajeti.
Incomings:
Maik Nawrocki: £4.3 million
Luis Palma: £3.5 million
Gustaf Lagerbielke: £3 million
Odin Thiago Holm: £2.5 million
Hyunjun Yang: £2.1 million
Marco Tilio: £1.5 million
Hyeokkyu Kwon: £1 million
Nat Phillips: Loan (no fee reported)
Paulo Bernardo: Loan (no fee reported)
TOTAL: £17.9 million
Outgoings:
Jota: £25 million
Carl Starfelt: £4.3 million
Conor Hazard: £0.15 million
Sead Haksabanovic: Loan (no fee reported)
Ismaila Soro: Undisclosed (nominal)
TOTAL: £29.45 million
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Net spend
Celtic net spend summer 2023: -£11.55 million
So it’s not so much a net spend and more of a net income. Celtic have taken in more transfer fees than they’ve spent across the summer months, which might surprise some casual observers.
It’s worth pointing out that a significant portion of the fee received for Jota also went to Benfica as part of his sell-on agreement. However, a few million was also received as compensation from Spurs for Ange Postecoglou. The Bhoys haven’t lavishly splashed out on transfers this summer however it’s looked it.
Given the fact the club will be banking more UEFA Champions League group stage cash, should they have pushed the boat out more in the window?
Brendan Rodgers suggested in comments this weekend that the Scottish champions are simply working within a successful model. But with clear deficiencies in the squad, some fans will argue that this model is predicated on ensuring the squad is capable of competing on all fronts.
What’s clear is that the Bhoys retain plenty of money for further strengthening in the winter transfer should it be required. That’s far from ideal, really we should be doing all of our business for the season before the end of the summer, but the fact remains that the club have plenty of cash to use.
In other news, Superb Rocco Vata form continues as B team pick up crucial Saturday win.