The strong profit Celtic could make on Liel Abada

By John McGinley

March 21, 2023

Celtic are line to earn a fee at least three times the size of their initial outlay for winger Liel Abada, if his transfer situation escalates this summer.

The Scottish Daily Mail [21/03 print edition, back page] has reported that talks with Abada and his representatives on a new, more lucrative contract have stalled – similar to the reports that popped up concerning Josip Juranovic and Giorgos Giakoumakis late last year. Notably, Abada shares an agent with Juranovic.

It stands to reason that if Abada is not keen on Celtic’s advances, he could well be moved on this summer despite his contract at the Bhoys running all the way until 2026.

Celtic could consider making quick Liel Abada profit

The Mail believes that clubs such as Southampton are waiting in the wings, ready to offer an initial fee of £10m. However, Celtic could hold out for a bit more than that given Abada’s young age and potential – he’s not a player at his peak like Juranovic and Giakoumakis. The Bhoys hold all the cards if there’s strong interest.

Abada arrived at Celtic for a reported £3.5m back in 2021 and his former club Maccabi Petah Tikva will be due a percentage of proceeds should he move on at a profit. The profit on any Abada sale is already looking very strong, with Ange Postecoglou eager to reinvest transfer income back into his squad.

The Israeli international has actually made more appearances than any other player at Celtic since Postecoglou arrived, just pipping Joe Hart for that honour. However, many of them have been from the bench with the attacker not really a firm part of the manager’s starting eleven on a week-to-week basis, at the moment. He’s made just 17 starts from 42 matches so far this term.

Nonetheless, he’s scored 12 goals this season, the second-highest total at the club. So Celtic would have to think carefully about a sale and seek a replacement for what he offers to the squad.

Postecoglou is on the record saying that Celtic could well have a bigger turnaround in players than some might expect and while Abada’s departure could raise eyebrows given his potential, the profit – if put back into the team – looks like a winning situation for the Bhoys.

In other news, Carl Starfelt gives glowing Celtic review to Swedish media; addresses English Premier League rumour.