Celtic have missed out on a bargain deal for Romanian goalkeeper Horatiu Moldovan with La Liga giants Atletico Madrid snapping him up for just £700,000.
With Joe Hart’s contract expiring, and with neither Scott Bain nor Benjamin Siegrist viewed as long-term number ones, a new goalkeeper is a must, either now or in the summer.
But, in the space of just 24 hours, it appears that two of the shot-stoppers on Celtic’s radar have slipped through Brendan Rodgers’ grasp. HITC Football understands that Brentford have agreed a £3 million deal to bring Hakon Valdimarsson of Elfsborg to the Premier League.
Valdimarsson, the Swedish league’s Goalkeeper of the Year for 2023, was on Celtic’s radar. He shot to fame after a fine display against Cristiano Ronaldo during a European Championship qualifier between Iceland and Portugal in the autumn.
Horatiu Moldovan, meanwhile, is now officially an Atletico Madrid player, unveiled by the 2021 La Liga champions on Wednesday morning.
Celtic target joins La Liga giants Atletico Madrid
To add insult to injury, Atletico snapped up the 26-year-old for just £700,000 after triggering the release clause in his FK Rapid contract. Celtic, a club who’s pockets are nowhere near as deep as those of Atletico, may struggle to find a goalkeeper of Moldovan’s quality for such a fee.
“It’s a dream come true,” says Moldovan, who will provide competition for Jan Oblak under Diego Simeone (GSP). “There was a lot of talk, but you can’t refuse Atletico. It was the most determined team.
“It will definitely be the toughest competition we’ve had. Oblak is probably the best goalkeeper in the world.”
Celtic, Romanian publication AgerPress said, were one of a number of teams who made an ‘offer’ for Moldovan.
Joe Hart replacement required
“During 3 years at Rapid, Moldovan has decided many games. It will be very difficult to replace him,” former Romania forward Daniel Pancu adds, insisting that the goalkeeper would have commanded a far larger fee if it wasn’t for that pesky release clause.
“Probably Rapid would have obtained 3 to 4 million euros if it were not for that clause. Sure, they could get a lot more. He helped you a lot on the pitch and you won with him.”
HITC Football understands that Atletico number two Ivo Grbic will join Sheffield United for £2 million this month. Moldovan’s arrival in Madrid should pave the way for a deal to be completed.
Celtic, meanwhile, have signed only Nicolas Kuhn this month. The £3 million winger joined from Rapid Vienna in Austria.
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