Celtic have snapped up Southampton winger Mohamed Elyounoussi.
Celtic new boy Mohamed Elyounoussi has told The Sunday Post that he heard Ronny Deila wanted him at Parkhead way back in 2016.
The Bhoys have been in the market for a new winger, and whilst a number of Premier League talents were linked, it was Elyounoussi who arrived.
The Southampton wide man joined Celtic on Friday night, penning a season-long loan deal with the Bhoys having failed to make an impact on the South Coast.
Southampton snapped up Elyounoussi last summer, paying £16million to lure him from FC Basel to the South Coast, as reported by The Telegraph.
He arrived with high expectations but struggled to get into the Southampton side, especially when Ralph Hasenhuttl arrived as manager last year.
With Moussa Djenepo snapped up, it’s no great surprise that Southampton have let Elyounoussi go, and he’s now opened up on his history with the Bhoys.
Elyounoussi scored in two Molde wins over Celtic in the 2015-16 season, and there were rumours that Ronny Deila wanted to lure him to Parkhead as a result of those displays.
Elyounoussi has now admitted that he heard Celtic did want him back then but he was too expensive, meaning that whilst he wanted to join the Bhoys then, he’s had to wait more than three years to make his move.
“I knew about Celtic’s interest back then. From what I’ve heard, I was a bit too expensive,” said Elyounoussi. “I can’t confirm that, but it’s what I heard. I remember at that time I really wanted to come to Celtic, especially after playing at the stadium. The atmosphere was amazing that night – until we scored.”
“It was my wish to come to Celtic at that time. I would have signed if I could. But it’s better late than never. I had a really good experience against Celtic, a goal and an assist in both games. We had a huge respect for Celtic at the time. But now I get the chance to do it for Celtic, rather than against them,” he added.
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