Celtic supporters have quickly fallen in love with Julian Araujo since his January arrival from Bournemouth, with the Mexican international settling into life at Paradise with remarkable ease.
Araujo’s passion and high-intensity displays have made him an instant fan favourite, further fueled by recent social media comments from his cousin suggesting that the chances of a permanent Celtic move remain high.
However, Charlie Mulgrew has provided a sobering, harsh truth regarding the potential transfer.
“I don’t think they will sign a fullback for that amount of money,” Mulgrew told Go Radio.
“I don’t think with Alistair Johnston being there, I don’t think there is any chance in Celtic spending £10 million to have two top-class fullbacks in the building.”
Will Celtic regret not inserting an option to buy in their Julian Araujo loan from Bournemouth?
Should Celtic pay £10m for Julian Araujo?
While the Celtic fans are desperate to see the deal done, the reported ‘£10 million’ price tag remains a massive stumbling block unless Bournemouth are willing to sanction another loan.
The situation is complicated by the fact that Johnston remains the club’s established first-choice right-back.
Although the Canadian has been plagued by injury this season, he is still the man in the eyes of many, including Mulgrew.
Furthermore, the rapid rise of young academy star Colby Donovan has provided the squad with unexpected depth.
With two top-tier options already vying for the spot, spending an eight-figure sum on Araujo may be a bridge too far for the board.
For a Celtic fan base hoping for a permanent signing, Mulgrew’s reality check suggests that the financial numbers simply might not add up, and the right call would be to say, ‘thank you, but no thanks, at that fee.’
Paul Cooney: “What about Araujo, first of all, could he be signed for £9 or 10 million?”
Charlie Mulgrew: “I don’t think they will sign a fullback for that amount of money. I don’t think with Alistair Johnston being there, I don’t think there is any chance of Celtic spending £10 million to have two top-class fullbacks in the building. That’s my opinion.
“I think he has done brilliantly. He has been a breath of fresh air with his passion, commitment and intensity to the game. He showed that at Ibrox.
“But when there is that interest there. It is going to cost that money. Alistair Johnston is sitting there, who you could argue is a better fullback.”
Cooney: “Unless they sold him. If somebody came in for Alistair Johnston.”
Mulgrew: “Potentially. But I still don’t think Celtic would invest £10 million in a fullback. I don’t. There was a lot of money spent on Kieran Tierney’s wages this year.
“Obviously, Kieran Tierney is a Celtic fan. Grew up with the club. He has an affliction with the club. Comes back.
“If you are going to spend that amount of money. It’s going to be on a forward player and a striker. Somebody that can go for £25 million or more in the future.”
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