Celtic Transfer Breakthrough as Niko Sigur ‘Agreed’ — But £8.5m Deal Threatens to Collapse
Niko Sigur could finally be heading for Celtic, but fresh doubts over the £8.5m Ermin Mahmic deal expose the danger of another transfer window built around Champions League qualification.
Phillip Cooney Celtic transfer target Niko Sigur could finally be heading to Parkhead, but the latest developments only raise more questions about the club’s summer strategy.
The Daily Record reports that a deal for the Hajduk Split star has been described as “agreed”, with Croatian-based pundit Łukasz Gikiewicz claiming the move should progress after Hajduk’s European fixture.
Gikiewicz wrote: “Two outgoing transfers after Thursday’s match in Częstochowa agreed. Rokas Pukštas to Middlesbrough. Niko Sigur to Celtic.”
That would be excellent news for Celtic.
Sigur is a 22-year-old Canada international who can operate in midfield or at right-back. Both areas need strengthening, particularly with Alistair Johnston injured and Arne Engels already sold.
However, Celtic supporters have every right to wait for the scarf-above-the-head photograph.
Genk have reportedly made an offer worth around €4million for Sigur, meaning Celtic cannot afford any more hesitation.
Celtic transfer breakthrough comes with another warning
The bigger frustration concerns Ermin Mahmic.
Only days ago, Celtic were reportedly working towards an £8.5million package for the Bosnia international. Now that deal appears to be under serious threat following the Champions League collapse against LASK.
PAOK have also entered the race.
Why should losing one football match suddenly determine whether Celtic can afford a player they had already identified as good enough?
The club sold Arne Engels for around £22million. Mahmic was wanted before LASK. Celtic still need midfield quality after LASK.
Nothing about that requirement has changed.
Celtic transfer strategy cannot depend on Champions League money
If Sigur arrives, he should be welcomed as an exciting and versatile addition.
Yet Celtic cannot allow that signing to disguise what could happen elsewhere.
Mahmic was reportedly close. Gvidas Gineitis was another expensive midfield target. Suddenly, after Champions League elimination, the spending plans appear very different.
That is precisely why supporters have criticised the strategy.
Build the team first. Give Martin O’Neill the strongest possible squad to qualify. Do not wait for qualification money before deciding whether to build the squad capable of earning it.
Sigur arriving would be good business.
Losing Mahmic because Celtic gambled on Champions League qualification would be another completely avoidable failure.
Key Takeaways
- Niko Sigur’s proposed Celtic move has been described as “agreed”.
- Hajduk Split’s European fixture could determine the timing of any transfer.
- Genk reportedly remain interested and have made a significant offer.
- Celtic’s proposed £8.5m Ermin Mahmic deal is now under pressure.
- The Champions League exit should not be an excuse to weaken Celtic’s transfer ambitions.
Any article that’s says by Mark Pirie
File under nonsense
Burns of the Record saying Mahmic deal in danger…usual negativity when it comes to Celtic, no doubt a 50 Million offer for Barron from Real Madrid has been knocked back.
Celtic need 6 or 7 players, get them in now !
We need to build, to add proper players to the staring line up so we ensure we win the league, make a decent effort of the europa league and be ready for the 30 qualifiers for next seasons Ucl. Sitting back and not signing first team ready players is not an option. Or else the board need to be removed by whatever means required