Celtic managed to make a big swoop in the transfer market when they secured the services of Southampton winger Mohamed Elyounoussi on a season-long loan. Elyounoussi might have been unsuccessful for the Saints for one season, but his previous performances for Basel were eye-catching.
Elyounoussi has already bagged seven goals in all competitions, and he has been the star in the last few games along with Odsonne Edouard. The Norwegian winger is a player who has proven himself even in the Champions League as in the 2017-18 campaign with Basel, he bagged two goals and two assists in eight appearances and helped his side to make it out of the group stages.
Lennon on signing Elyounoussi permanently
The left-winger will undoubtedly be a top signing for the Bhoys if they manage to get him permanently. Lennon was recently asked about the possibility of signing the 25-year-old to which he said (Celtic TV), ”He’s not our player, we are grateful to have him. So far, it’s worked out very well; we’re delighted with the contribution that he is making. That’s the way that he is playing, the added dimension that he has brought to the team but whether a permanent deal can be done further down the line, I can’t answer that at the minute.”
Lennon was quite coy in his response, and he probably doesn’t want the Celtic fans to get their hopes up. Elyounoussi was signed by the Saints for £16m last year. Therefore we think that it is unlikely that the English outfit will sell him anywhere below the £10m mark. With that kind of fee involved, Celtic could be priced out of a move for him.
How can Celtic generate the funds to sign Elyounoussi?
However, they could generate the funds if they sell some of their marquee players like Kristoffer Ajer or Odsonne Edouard in the future. That way Celtic can have enough funds to replace them and even get Elyounoussi on a permanent deal. The Hoops should be prepared to lose Edouard by next summer given his rich scoring form, and the only thing the team management could do is to get the best possible price for him. Celtic’s current record signing is Edouard as the Hoops had spent £9m for him. There is no doubt that he could earn three times that figure in the future given his recent performances.
Elyounoussi has settled in well, and he is a major threat in the attacking third. His movement, pace, finishing and decision making in the final third looks on point and he could be a valuable player for the Bhoys if they manage to get him permanently.
