Wolfsberger president Dietmer Riegler has admitted that all the signs point to the departure of Celtic target Shon Weissman this summer, speaking to Unterkarnter Nachrichten after the prolific striker was offered a massive contract by Galatasaray.
The sight of an Israeli number nine lifting the Golden Boot award high above his head must have felt a little bittersweet to Wolfsberger fans.
While Weissman comfortably outscored every else in Austria with 37 goals in all competitions, including 30 in 31 Bundesliga matches, a remarkable run of form means he is all-but certain to make a step up the footballing ladder this summer.
The Telegraph reported in May that Celtic had identified the former Maccabi Haifa ace as a long-term replacement for the much-coveted Odsonne Edouard.
And, after Wolfsberger team-mate Michael Liendl admitted that he would probably have to say ‘goodbye’ to the 24-year-old over the next few weeks, president Riegler has now struck a similar tone.
“Shon has certain ideas. There are many indications that we will lose him,” Riegler says, in quotes translated by 90Minuten.
“After all, it is not every day that the top scorer of the Bundesliga plays in Wolfsberger. For him, WAC is a stepping stone for bigger challenges and in my opinion he is ready for it.
“Inquiries are already there. And we have certain ideas about the transfer fee.”
MSport suggested last week that Celtic would have to pay £9.1 million for Weissman, a fee that would see Edouard replaced as the club’s most expensive signing of all time.
But with Turkish giants Galatasaray offering him a staggering £45,000-a-week contract in an attempt to reclaim their Super Lig crown, there is a very real chance that Celtic could be priced out (Fotospor).
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