In days gone by Celtic would often have competition from noisy neighbours Rangers in the pursuit of transfer targets.
From John Hartson (Scottish Sun) to Scott Brown (The Scotsman), some Celtic heroes of the past have been coveted by the Ibrox side before passing through the Parkhead gates.
We’ve won some of those battles and lost others but in recent years it hasn’t really been a factor.
Financial calamity and subsequent liquidation at Ibrox has meant that Celtic have powered ahead in terms of fees received and fees paid for players.
As reported by The Scottish Sun, a recent analysis of both side’s wage bills shows the Hoops operating at a higher level in that sphere too.
Now, it looks like we have a chance to use our financial clout to land a target at our rivals’ expense.
The Daily Record report that both Celtic and Rangers have notified Stoke City to let them know an intention to negotiate a pre-contract with striker Tyrese Campbell, whose current deal expires at the end of the season.
Potential bargain
Cross-border compensation rules means he could be available to either club for a fee of just £400,000, according to the paper, meaning he’s well within the reach of both Glasgow outfits.
It’s said that Neil Lennon and Steven Gerrard will make their pitches to the player upon their return from Dubai.
The negotiations in the coming days then could come all down to wages and clearly Celtic hold the financial advantage here.
Not only are we in rude financial health while operating with a higher wage bill, we’ve also just got rid of high-earner Scott Sinclair to Preston North End, who was said to be earning £40,000-a-week (The Scottish Sun).
There’s a hole burning in Peter Lawwell’s pockets and some of that cash should be used to land Campbell, if we truly want him, upstaging Rangers in the process.
Why do clubs want him?
Whenever a young player with potential comes to the end of their contract, it opens up the potential to land a player with huge resale value. We signed Moussa Dembele in very similar circumstances back in 2016.
Campbell hasn’t quite hit the scoring heights in the English Championship that the Frenchman did with Fulham, but recently has shown some impressive form, netting three goals in his last three league games (Transfermarkt).
A strong, powerful forward with the apparent versatility to play through the middle or on the right flank, he’d be a decent capture for the Hoops, with the hope being that he’d develop more while at Celtic Park.
It’ll be interesting to see how this reported race develops over the coming days and weeks.
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