A couple of weeks ago – when goalkeepers Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo were Celtic’s only new additions – there was an air of concern growing amongst a fanbase worried that the Premiership champions were set to go into the new season a little short-changed.
Chris Sutton, the former Hoops striker, described the lack of movement over a deal for Adam Idah as ‘baffling’.
Brendan Rodgers had made no secret of his desire to sign the ex-loan star on a permanent basis. But, after seeing an opening bid of £4 million rejected by Norwich City at the start of July, things had gone a little quiet on that front.
Speaking to the Daily Record, Sutton was equally worried about the lack of left-backs to provide cover for Greg Taylor.
Seven days later, Celtic are at least making considerable progress on one of those fronts.
HITC can report that a long-awaited deal for Idah is edging closer. Celtic have upped their offer to £6 million. And while that is still shy of Norwich’s £8 million asking price, there is a sense of confidence at Parkhead that a deal will be agreed in the coming days.
Sutton is hoping that Idah will not be Celtic’s only outfield addition between now and the start of September, however, amid links with the likes of £4.7 million-rated Tanner Tessmann of Venezia.
Celtic near Adam Idah deal but Chris Sutton wants more
“Celtic simply have to produce some rabbits from hats. The manager is craving quality and the chance is there to go and add it for him,” Sutton tells the Record in his latest column. “Trust me, the players want it, too. I know what it’s like.
“You get such a boost when quality arrives into the unit. It lifts everyone and makes you feel you are getting a helping hand. Boys like Callum McGregor, who has now ended his Scotland career, have earned that.
“If ever there was a time to push the boat out a little, this is it surely.”
Celtic could yet land Idah for £2 million less than Norwich initially demanded.
The Hoops have already saved almost £3 million by re-negotiating the terms of Paulo Bernardo’s deal with Benfica, eventually rubber stamping a £3.5 million outlay.
That, Sutton feels, is a real bargain, and all credit goes to Celtic’s behind-the-scenes staff.
Hoops get Paulo Bernardo for a bargain fee
“Listen, Celtic are run brilliantly. You don’t get that sort of money in the bank just through fans’ investment in gate receipts and merchandise,” the four-time Premiership winner adds.
“Club chiefs know how to run their model and they do it with poise and professionalism. They try to get the best deals and there’s nothing wrong with that approach.
“Put it this way, if the figures that were coming out of Lisbon were correct, Benfica wanted £6 million to do a permanent deal for Paulo Bernardo. The general consensus is that Celtic managed to get it over the line paying out just an initial £3.5 million.
“If that is the case, they have got the Portuguese midfielder for almost half the initial asking price and that type of shrewd business work is what has put Celtic into this healthy financial position.”
Sutton feels that Celtic could use the £3 million they saved on Bernardo to speed up those Idah discussions with Norwich.
As things stand, Kyogo Furuhashi is Rodgers’ only number nine, although the lack of depth didn’t matter much in that 4-0 dismantling of Kilmarnock on the top-flight’s opening weekend.
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