With January just around the corner, Celtic’s transfer business comes into sharp focus. Especially after the Champions League exit to Lazio on Tuesday night.
Much has been made of the need to strengthen the Celtic first team but that hasn’t stopped rumours circulating about the team’s current top goalscorer.
Reports suggested that AC Milan were prepared to make a £7m move for David Turnbull in January. Italian talent scout, Michele Fratini claimed that the Serie A giants were looking at the 24-year-old midfielder.
However, the Glasgow Times now claim that they have ‘debunked’ the transfer story and in their latest report they said, “Reports in Italy suggested that the Celtic midfielder was being monitored closely by the Serie A giants.
“However, we understand links touting a £7m move are wide of the mark and nothing more than speculation.”
£7m rumour for David Turnbull was strange considering his contract situation at Celtic
One of the main reasons I left this story yesterday was because I felt that the price being quoted was a bit bizarre considering Turnbull’s contract situation at the club.
With just over six months left on his current deal, the Scotland midfielder is free to talk to clubs in January about a summer move.
Milan knows this as do a number of clubs so why, then, would they even entertain spending £7m on a player they can land for free? Or at the very least get for a more modest fee as soon as the January window kicks in.
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With Turnbull taking a relaxed approach to signing an extension and Celtic clearly looking to tie him up, the ball is firmly in the midfielder’s court. And he knows it.
Turnbull won’t be short of suitors. It looks like from this report that he is keeping his options open as the Glasgow Times goes on to say, “The midfielder is believed to be considering his options given his contractual situation and status within Brendan Rodgers‘ squad.”
Which is fair enough. I went into great detail last night on why I believed Turnbull’s Celtic career is over after the Lazio defeat. And I stand by it.
I believe that Turnbull will leave Celtic at some point over the next seven months. Whether that’s in January or for free in the summer, I don’t think he will be seen in a green and white hooped jersey next season.
In other news, ‘Definitely’… BBC journalist shares what the Italian media really think about Celtic after Lazio match