He’s a player all right but can Celtic afford him? That was one of the big questions at Hampden after Mo Elyounoussi destroyed Hibs and somehow missed out on scoring a hat-trick.
Southampton is a well-worn destination for Celtic players but recruiting players from the south coast is much less frequent for a number of reasons.
The basics are that Southampton paid Basle around £15m for Elyounoussi and have him under contract until June 2023.
When Virgil van Dijk left Celtic for Southampton in 2014 it was believed his wages rose to £40,000/week, over the course of four years wage inflation in the EPL is around 100%.
Elyounoussi enjoyed great success at Molde and Basle but that came to a shuddering halt in his goal-less season at Southampton.
Should/Can Celtic sign Mo Elyounoussi on a permanent basis?
Yes, we need to make a show of ambition
No chance, enjoy him while he's here
Almost instantly he has rediscovered his form at Celtic, domestically he looks like scoring in every match.
Any transfer deal needs the agreement of three parties involving two clubs and a player. Celtic have been in similar positions in the past with Jason Denayer and Patrick Roberts, time will tell if they strike an agreement to see the goal-scoring Norwegian back at Celtic Park next season.
Elyounoussi is the best player ive seen up that side of the park for us for years,his movement, skill is unreal. We really need to push the boat out january at match there valuation. Thoughts?
— Celtic Spares? (@SparesCeltic) November 2, 2019
Best player ive ever seeen
— Many of Horror (@manyofhorror57) November 3, 2019
Celtic don’t need any new players just need to sign some of the on loan player on permanent deals . Squad looks good
— Another Penalty (@squirrelskin) November 3, 2019
£10m would get him
— ? (@MC19778) November 2, 2019
He will be in a fortune down there I reckon we just enjoy him for as long as he is with us HH
— Lonewolf (@Lonewol09239678) November 2, 2019
16 mill they paid and a team came in for 12 and got rejected so need to be paying about 14 a feel to get him as Southampton don’t want him i don’t think, but we have gave them plenty of good player so hopefully can do us a deal
— Cameron McGaley (@cameronmcgaley) November 2, 2019
We can afford the transfer fee
— Celtic Spares? (@SparesCeltic) November 2, 2019
Mickey Johnson was just as good at the start of the season before injury ruled him out. No need to be spending >£10m when we have quality coming through our youth system. Spend it in other areas.
— K ? (@K_McG1) November 3, 2019
Decent but not close to Sinclair in his debut season.
— David O’Reilly (@DavidOReilly3) November 3, 2019
£25,000,000+ Edouard funds should be used on securing permanently Elyounoussi, Forster and bringing in fully healed Turnbull.
— POGI BHOYO ????? (@Pogi29225944) November 2, 2019
Wages!!!! He will be on best part of £70k a week. We can’t afford that, nor should we even attempt to.
— Roger Mc Monagle (@RogerMcMonagle) November 3, 2019