Most Celtic fans are consigned to the fact that Virgil van Dijk will leave the club this summer, providing an adequate bid comes in for him – By adequate I mean in the realms of £9million plus.
Of course every team and their auntie are being linked with the defender at the moment but the very latest rumour doing the rounds is a non-starter in my eyes.
Many of you who keep in touch through social media will see that newly promoted Norwich City have now been put in the frame for the players services. A cash plus Gary Hooper arrangement being the general consensus. I would dismiss this straight away as pure fantasy. Celtic have made good profit out of buying low and selling high over the past few years with the likes of Fraser Forster, Victor Wanyama and ironically Gary Hooper. Although there is need for a striker Celtic will want to cash in fully on the Dutch defender. Dismissing any swap deal in the process.
It’s also my and many peoples understanding that Norwich boss Alex Neil would rather keep Gary Hooper at Carrow Road as he needs all the fire-power he can get as the challenge of the Premiership looms.
Virgil has made it no secret he would like to move on but Celtic Assistant manager John Collins has made it clear that they won’t look at offloading him while Celtic have vital Champions League qualifiers to come through. If Virgil were to leave before then it would leave a massive gap in the centre of defence, leaving Efe or Mulgrew to partner a very new Boyata.
I’m of the belief that Celtic will get top dollar for van Dijk when the time comes as well as bring in another Striker. I just don’t think that striker will be Gary Hooper. Although I have been wrong before.
Available from FRIDAY at our Online Shop
