Neil Lennon has pretty much ruled this one out. I hope we have a good plan b.

Our plan b is called Nacho Monreal, and I can't help but feel that we're going to live to regret that. We really needed a leftback.

No drama - can reinvest these funds elsewhere. Kieran Tierney won't make it break our season.

Junior Firpo of Real Betis would be a very good guy to turn to.

Tierney will come though. I'm confident it's all bluster.

Don Pacifico wrote:

No drama - can reinvest these funds elsewhere. Kieran Tierney won't make it break our season.

No, but there's a good chance Monreal and Kolasinac will.

I'm not convinced it's as big a problem as stated. Yes, neither are ideal but we need to pick our battles and I think there are bigger deficiencies elsewhere in the squad.

I think a lot of people undervalue the importance of having good quality fullbacks. For me it's just as important as any other position on the pitch

Sicario wrote:

Neil Lennon has pretty much ruled this one out. I hope we have a good plan b.

Don't think he is ruling it out but definitely trying to make it public and make it out like that. Maybe hoping for some backlash from Arsenal fans who are desperate for signings.

They want to sell the player but trying to hold out for as much as they can. I think we are trying to call their bluff because no other club is interested in him at the kind of money we are offering.

This is another example of what I'm talking about:

[Twitter]

What is there to gain from saying that?

To motivate the lad perhaps? he might be the sort who responds to that by thinking, no I won't, I'll show him I can get over it.

Who the hell knows.

Pulling three parties together is a monumemtal task. barring something going awry, this signing is done.

Also, don't believe all of the nonsense in the papers.

this feels like brinkmanship, given how publicly it's all being played out. i think we'll take 1 more crack before the deadline

We're 'linked' to Rodriguez of Milan supposedly for around 14m.

'Reports' Palace now want the entire fee paid up front.

Ricky1985 wrote:

This is another example of what I'm talking about:

[Twitter]

What is there to gain from saying that?

So if he leaves they can say his heart wasn't in it any more and essentially shift the blame onto him?

Anzac wrote:

'Reports' Palace now want the entire fee paid up front.

I don't know where this whole thing has come from, historically most transfer fees were paid over the contract length. The only time I can think of upfront payment was if a bargain could be had as club was desperate or when you pay a release clause and you have to pay upfront.

Palace can fuck off. Keep your wantaway player.

JazzG wrote:
Ricky1985 wrote:

This is another example of what I'm talking about:

[Twitter]

What is there to gain from saying that?

So if he leaves they can say his heart wasn't in it any more and essentially shift the blame onto him?

I don’t think they need to. There will be a small minority of Celtic fans angry about it but most, certainly any I’ve spoken to, recognise it’s too big an opportunity for him and don’t begrudge him the move – especially with the money they will get for him.

I think Ricky is reading too much into Lennon’s words. It’s no secret Tierney has his price, nor that it is fairly well known. Celtic don’t need to sell him and would happily keep him. He wants to move for both developmental and financial reasons (Celtic also have a wage ceiling for academy players), but he’s also a die-hard fan and won’t rock the boat or force a move. I’m certain Lennon is just being very frank, he’s a fairly open speaker about matters such as this.

I can't see why he doesn't just shut up about it. He seems to do more harm than good by speaking, certainly if Celtic want to keep the kid.