Galatasaray defender Sacha Boey has reiterated that he could have joined Celtic during the summer of 2021 with the reported Arsenal and Manchester United target now dreaming of a move to the Premier League.
It’s easy to forget just how long Celtic’s pursuit of a new right-back dragged on for before Josip Juranovic arrived from Croatian football to bring an end to Ange Postecoglou’s summer-long pursuit.
Alongside George Baldock, Valentin Rosier, Milan van Ewijk and co; Boey was one of a number of targets who initially slipped through the Australian’s grasp.
The former France U20 international turned down a move to Parkhead, admitting that ‘Celtic wanted to sign me’. Turkish Super Lig giants Galatasaray, he felt, presented a better ‘project’.
Now, with Galatasaray closing in on domestic glory – and with Boey attracting interest from some of Europe’s major leagues – even the most ardent Celtic supporter would probably have to accept that the 22-year-old’s decision has been justified.
If he arrived in Istanbul looking to claim a Super Lig title before making a move to the Premier League, then his ‘best laid plans’ are going anything but awry.
Galatasaray ace Sacha Boey turned down Celtic
“Galatasaray came to me with a good project. I had other opportunities, like Celtic. But I believed in the club’s project,” Boey tells Transfermarkt, via Gazete Futbol.
“I didn’t move to Galatasaray to stay for the rest of my career. My wish was to play regularly and then they would sell me to another club. That could happen this year. It’s like a springboard to achieve even greater goals.”
Boey is reportedly valued at around £12 million these days. The likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, Newcastle, Aston Villa and AC Milan are allegedly expressing an interest.
“I want to be a modern and complete right-back. (I want to) play in recognised club in the major European leagues,” Boey adds. “To be the best, you have to play with the best. My dream is the Premier League. This is a dream for many players.”
For Celtic, the disappointment at missing out on Boey was certainly offset by Juranovic’s subsequent arrival. And, when the Croatia international departed for Union Berlin in January, Celtic already had a replacement of equal quality ready and waiting to step up in his place.
Alistair Johnston has been a revelation since his January arrival from Montreal Impact.
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