When it comes to identifying some of the most exciting young talent in the game, it is not exactly uncommon for Celtic to find themselves ahead of the curve. Identifying a player and signing him, however, are two very different challenges.
The Scottish Premiership champions scouted Sergej Milinkovic-Savic when he was still a little-known, baby-faced talent making waves back home in Serbia. According to The Sun (21 April 2017, page 63), a pre-Dortmund Jadon Sancho had also shimmied and scythed his way onto Celtic’s radar when the winger was looking to leave Manchester City.
And, per ESPN, the Hoops also made a £5 million bid for Edson Alvarez nearly four years ago too.
Flash forward to 2022 and, with the Mexican man-mountain now a big-money target for the likes of Barcelona, Newcastle United, Arsenal and Chelsea, it’s fair to say he too has come on leaps and bounds since moving out of Celtic’s reach.
Celtic once offered £5 million for Barcelona and Chelsea target Edson Alvarez
According to Mexican publication TUDN, Newcastle failed with a £25 million bid for Alvarez over the summer, head of recruitment Steve Nixon a big fan of the centre-half-turned-defensive-midfielder. Chelsea offered nearly double that on deadline day (The Athletic).
And with Barcelona scouring the market for potential Sergio Busquets replacements, Alvarez could potentially follow in the footsteps of El Tri legend Rafael Marquez at the Camp Nou (Sport).
Ajax rejected a £43 million offer from Chelsea because, on August 31, there was simply not enough time to find a replacement. Should they, Newcastle, Barcelona or one of Alvarez’s other admirers give the Eredivisie champions enough warning next time around, a similar offer is likely to provide a firm test of Ajax’s resolve.
Especially with Ajax under no illusions about Alvarez’s future plans. A man who was still plying his trade back home with Club America when Celtic made their move is ready to take the next step in his development, following successive Eredivisie titles in Amsterdam.
“Chelsea reported themselves for Edson Alvarez on the final day (of the window). And Alvarez wanted this (move),” Schreuder told ESPN.
Whoever Alvarez joins, however much they pay for him, it will be a damn sight more than the £5 million Celtic offered a couple of years ago.
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