Will Celtic return for Scott McKenna if Jozo Simunovic bid is accepted?

By John Reid

July 19, 2019

Celtic may very soon have two intriguing centre-back transfer decisions to make. The first involves Jozo Simunovic.

The Scottish Sun is reporting that Lille are set to make a £5 million bid for the Hoops defender. Would Celtic accept that bid? Perhaps, if they had a replacement for Simunovic in mind.

That brings us on to the second intriguing decision. Should the Hoops decide to sell Simunovic, would they return to Aberdeen’s Scott McKenna as a centre-back they want to buy?

Had a bid previously rejected

(Photo by David Young/Action Plus via Getty Images)

Celtic did have a £3.5 million bid turned down for the player in August last year.

More recently, the Hoops reportedly had a £5 million bid for the player rejected, with the Dons’ asking price £10 million.

If the Hoops accept the five million for Simunovic, and add that to the five million reportedly already bid for McKenna, that would provide the 10 million Aberdeen want.

Unlikely to break transfer record

(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

It has to said that it is unlikely that Celtic would break their transfer record for McKenna. Especially after paying £7 million for Christopher Jullien.

That does not mean that they won’t make another bid for McKenna. Another centre-back will have to be signed should Simunovic depart.

The Hoops will want any business involving Simunovic or McKenna to be done quickly. Therefore, with the Champions League qualifiers already under way, the club will want any disruption to be minimal.

It could be an interesting week ahead in the transfer market for Celtic.