Report: Celtic continue to pursue Alfie Doughty; second bid comes after Hammond trip

By John McGinley

September 14, 2020

Celtic have had a second bid rejected for Charlton Athletic wideman Alfie Doughty, The Glasgow Times has reported on Monday.

The paper say a fee of £650,000 was offered for the midfielder, who could fulfil the hybrid left-wing role in Neil Lennon’s 3-5-2 system.

Charlton have knocked that back, as well an initial bid of £400,000, holding out for more cash on offer from the Scottish champions.

However, Celtic hold a strong hand in negotiations.

Reported Celtic target Alfie Doughty / (Photo by Tom West/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Doughty’s contract expires next summer meaning the Bhoys could snap him up for a cross-border compensation fee and be free to speak to the player directly on a pre-contract basis in jut a few months time.

Charlton must be confident that we want him before October 5th but surely they don’t have much more room for manoeuvre if any further bids come in.

It’s unlikely Celtic will be spending north of £1m for a 20-year-old who is playing in League One, even if Doughty does appear to have a bit of talent.

We’ve discussed previously that former Celtic and Charlton winger Aiden McGeady reckons he is a speed merchant and that Addicks fans really like the youngster.

Reported Celtic target Alfie Doughty / (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)

Nick Hammond made a scouting trip to watch the player earlier this month, after the initial £400k bid.

That we’re interested enough to increase our offer following the Head of Football Operations’ journey says to me that he is very well-liked within Celtic.

That, coupled with our need for a left-side player, gives me confidence that we could return with a third bid before October’s transfer deadline.

We need someone in the door in his position, the homework on him has been done, now it’s up the negotiating team to deliver.

In other news, Aberdeen have put pressure on the Scottish Government with regards to crowd test events.