Celtic’s hard-earned point in the Glasgow Derby Derby against Rangers at Ibrox solidified their position at the summit of the Scottish Premiership. The Bhoys currently hold a nine-point advantage over their Glasgow city rivals and they look well set to secure a second consecutive top-flight crown, which would be their 11th title in 12 years.
It would take an almighty collapse if the Hoops were to fumble what looks to be a surefire championship trophy. Online bookmaker Bovada make Celtic huge favorites for the title this term, and they aren’t the only ones. But one thing that could throw a spanner in the works is the January transfer window.
Rumours have been swirling surrounding the future of Croatian right back Josip Juranovic. The former Legia Warsaw man played every minute in Croatia’s march to the semifinals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and he impressed in doing so. A number of Europe’s elite clubs, including Spanish giants Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, as well as Premier League clubs Chelsea and West Ham United, have all shown an interest in the 27-year-old, and it remains to be seen whether manager Ange Postecoglou can keep his prized asset at Parkhead.
Another player that has been heavily linked with an exit from Celtic Park is Greek striker Gorgios Giakoumakis. The 28-year-old has netted 25 times in 55 appearances for the Hoops, but could well be on his way to Denmark, with FC Midtjylland being known admirers of the former Eredivise star.
But it’s not all doom and gloom in January. Postecoglou has been working on a number of new additions including South Korean midfielder Kwon Hyeok-kyu. Celtic have had much success in bringing in players from the Far East in recent years, and the Busan IPark man could be another hit.
Over the years, Celtic have had many notable transfer fees received from selling their players. Let’s take a look at their biggest transfer fees to date and how the players have performed for the club.
Kieran Tierney
The highest transfer fee Celtic has ever received was when they sold left-back Kieran Tierney to Arsenal in 2019 for a fee of around £25 million. Tierney won an impressive nine major trophies with his boyhood club, including five Scottish league titles, three Scottish Cups, and three Scottish League Cups during his seven-year spell with the club.
The defender also made 170 appearances in all competitions and was selected twice to the PFA Scotland Team of the Year.
Moussa Dembélé
The second-highest transfer fee Celtic received was from the sale of forward Moussa Dembélé to French Ligue 1 club Lyon in 2018 for a reported fee of around £19.7 million. Dembélé won three Scottish Premiership titles, two Scottish Cups, and three Scottish League Cups with Celtic during his three-year spell with the club. The French forward scored 51 goals in 94 appearances and was the Scottish Premiership’s top scorer in the 2017–18 season.
The French striker famously scored as Lyon knocked Manchester City out of the UEFA Champions League back in 2020 and during his four-and-a-half years at the Groupama Stadium, has scored 69 goals for the club.
Odsonne Édouard
Odsonne Édouard was a hero at Celtic Park. The French striker arrived at Parkhead from PSG in 2017 and he would go on to bag 88 goals in 179 appearances.
The 24-year-old top scored during each of his seasons on the green half of Glasgow, which attracted the attention of a number of Europe’s top clubs. He eventually settled on a move to Premier League side Crystal Palace last August for a transfer fee of up to £14m.
Victor Wanyama
Celtic sold midfielder Victor Wanyama to Premier League club Southampton back in 2013 for a reported fee of around £12 million. The Kenyan midfielder was crucial to Celtic’s success under Neil Lennon at the start of the 2010s, forming a formidable central midfield partnership with captain Scott Brown. The pair won two Scottish Premierships together, as well as the Scottish Cup.
Wanyama moved from Southampton to Tottenham Hotspur in 2016 and helped the club reach the UEFA Champions League final for the first time in their history in 2019. Three-and-a-half years on from that defeat to Liverpool in Madrid however, and Wanyama finds himself as a free agent following his release from MLS club Montreal. Could he be on his way back to Celtic Park this month?
Notable mentions
Celtic have also received notable transfer fees for the sales of forward Gary Hooper to Norwich City in 2013 for £5.4 million as well as defender Virgil van Dijk, who moved to Southampton in 2015 for £13 million. Both players won numerous major trophies at the club and made a huge impact during their time at Celtic Park.
Overall, Celtic have received impressive transfer fees for their players over the years and have benefitted from their success in the transfer market. The club has managed to sign and sell some of the best talents in Europe and has won many major trophies in the process.
