Aaron Mooy would have to accept a ‘significant wage cut’ to join Celtic from Shanghai Port under the request of Ange Postecoglou this summer, according to the Daily Record.
Postecoglou is quickly getting to work by stamping his mark on the squad Neil Lennon built at Parkhead. He has already brought in defender Osaze Urhoghide for £200,000 after he left Sheffield Wednesday, and now has eyes on improving his midfield options.
The new Hoops boss is keen to bring Mooy back to Scotland, nine years after leaving St Mirren. Postecoglou has marked the Australian high on his shortlist, while Eurosport have noted the Greek has been urging Celtic to sign him over Crystal Palace’s James McCarthy.
Celtic would have to pay Shanghai Port around £4m to sign Mooy, per 90min. That would be a £3.5m loss on the £7.5m paid to Brighton in August last year, when the 30-year-old signed a £50,000-per-week contract running to 2023.
The Daily Record understand Celtic would not be able to match Mooy’s salary. He would have to accept a ‘significant’ reduction to reunite with Postecoglou, having played under the 50-year-old with Australia.
Postecoglou holding out hope of Mooy sacrifice for Celtic
Postecoglou will be holding out hope that Mooy will accept sacrificing a large part of his pay to join Celtic. The Hoops boss knows what makes him tick, and clearly believes he would be an improvement on those at Parkhead.
Mooy featured in all but four of the Socceroos fixtures managed by Postecoglou between March 2015 and November 2017. He proved a creative force in the World Cup qualifiers in 2015 for his most influential international period, as well.
But the financial elements of bringing Mooy to Celtic could hinder Postecoglou over targeting McCarthy. The Republic of Ireland international can join without a fee after leaving Crystal Palace at the end of his contract.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
