Celtic’s hopes of a permanent deal for Moi Elyounoussi are in doubt with TodoFichajes reporting that Real Sociedad have leapt into the race for the Southampton misfit.
With the Saints looking to raise funds for a summer rebuild by selling a couple of high-earning forgotten men, it feels unlikely that a Norway international will be handed a second chance at St Mary’s – even if he does probably deserve one.
Elyounoussi had been in fabulous form on loan at Celtic before the global health crisis brought the Scottish football season to an early end.
With 13 goals and assists in 20 games, an explosive winger with an impressive goalscoring record looked every inch the kind of high-octane, adaptable attacking talent who tends to thrive under Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl.
Rightly or wrongly though, The Saints are still planning to sell.
The Independent suggest they could take a sizeable loss too, with Elyounoussi valued at a cut-price £10 million.
But a full-time contract at Celtic is no longer the ‘no-brainer’ it felt like a few months ago. The Hoops will be hit hard in the pocket by football’s financial crisis, meaning the chances of Celtic breaking their transfer record this summer look slim.
And that, according to reports in Spain, could open the door for Real Sociedad to snatch Elyounoussi from under Celtic’s nose.
The former Basel talisman might even replace Mikel Oyarzabal at San Sebastian. 90Min claim that Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has identified the £68 million Spain international as a potential replacement for Leroy Sane at the Etihad.
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