Celtic are reportedly eyeing a move for the Everton man in January.
According to the Herald Scotland, Celtic are planning a January transfer move for Everton midfielder James McCarthy.
According to the newspaper, Bhoys manager Brendan Rodgers wants the Republic of Ireland midfielder on loan with a view to a permanent deal in the summer.
They report that one major stumbling block is the player’s wages, although the Hoops’ run in the Champions League could see the Scottish Champions pay a large fee to overcome that.
However, there is another major stumbling block that the Bhoys do not appear to have considered and that is the Africa Cup of Nations.
Like several Premier League teams Everton will lose players to the tournament and this year it will be Idrissa Gana Gueye.
The summer signing has been hugely impressive since arriving at Goodison Park and will be sorely missed when he temporarily departs in January.
And with his brief loss that makes an exit for McCarthy extremely unlikely.
McCarthy is the direct replacement for the Senegalese midfielder in the team and manager Ronald Koeman will not want to limit his options by sanctioning a departure.
Of course, Everton may be busy in January themselves and bring in another defensive midfielder to supplement the squad.
If that happens then they may allow McCarthy to depart, but if it does not, then it is hard to imagine Everton will be sanctioning a move to Celtic any time soon.
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