James McCarthy was linked with a move to Scottish Premiership champions Celtic.
James McCarthy was dreaming of a move to his boyhood club Celtic this month, according to TEAMtalk.
The Glasgow-born midfielder is well down the pecking order at Everton, having failed to make a single first-team appearance all season despite recovering from a broken leg he suffered against West Bromwich Albion 12 months ago.
TEAMtalk report that Celtic made an ambitious approach earlier in January and it seemed that McCarthy would have jumped at the chance to pull on the famous green and white stripes.
Instead, however, it seems that McCarthy won’t be arriving after all. But why have Celtic backed out of the chase?
Well, the Irish Independent believe the issue was a financial one. It is understood that McCarthy is earning £50,000 a week at Goodison Park and this put him out of Celtic’s reach.
TEAMtalk add that there is a number of clubs who could be willing to meet his demands, however, with Premier League duo Fulham and West Ham United interested in the Republic of Ireland international, who joined Everton from Wigan for £13 million six years ago (BBC).
Championship duo West Brom and Derby have also held talks.
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