Henry Onyekuru could cost Celtic more than Chris Sutton – but with Van Dijk reportedly set to swap Southampton for Chelsea, a cash windfall may be crucial.
Celtic’s scouting department is the gift that keeps on giving.
The club paid just £2.6 million for Groningen’s follicly-gifted 21-year-old centre-half Virgin Van Dijk in the summer of 2013, as reported by the BBC. And, four years on, their 10 per cent sell-on clause could earn them double that amount.
The Scottish Sun claims that Chelsea are edging closer to a £55 million deal to bring the current Southampton talisman to Stamford Bridge this summer – meaning Celtic would net a £5.5 million windfall two years after selling Van Dijk to The Saints.
Despite possessing a budget far bigger than any other side in the Scottish game, the Champions are hardly blessed with unlimited funds. Therefore, the prospect of an extra £5.5 million burning a hole in the back pocket would give them a massive boost going into the summer window – especially if they want to finally secure a deal for Henry Onyekuru.
Celtic saw an initial offer of £1 million for the Nigerian 19-year-old rejected by Belgian outfit KAS Eupen in January, as reported by The Sun. Now, four months on, he is reportedly worth seven times that amount.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers
With 18 goals in 45 games in a stunning breakthrough campaign, Onyekuru has been linked with countless sides from around Europe. And The Sun claim that Everton are now aiming to jump the queue for one of the continent’s hottest properties.
However, with the £7 million fee eclipsing the club-record £6 million Celtic paid Chelsea for Chris Sutton seventeen years ago, it appeared Brendan Rodgers’ side would be priced out of a move.
Though Van Dijk’s possible move to the Premier League champions-in-waiting could give Celtic the funds they need to get the deal over the line.
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