Celtic have agreed a transfer fee which could eventually rise to a price of £8million after confirming the exit of Stuart Armstrong to Premier League side Southampton, according to Sky Sports’ Jim White.
The Hoops revealed that the 26-year-old midfielder had put pen to paper on a four year deal with the south coast outfit via their official Twitter account and website, although failed to confirm what the fee paid by the Saints was for his capture.
However, White revealed on his own social media account that the final fee could end up being £8million, hinting at the suggestion of a number of bonuses and clauses included on top of the base fee.
Best of luck at @SouthamptonFC , Stuart! https://t.co/y9GyF7WZpn
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) June 26, 2018
Stuart Armstrong has joined @SouthamptonFC from @CelticFC – four year deal, fee could rise to £8million.
— Jim White (@JimWhite) June 26, 2018
Opinion
A price of £8million is not a bad bit of business for Celtic, especially considering that Armstrong only had a contract which ran until next summer. Had he had longer on his deal at Parkhead then it could have been an even more lucrative deal, but seeing as though he seemed reluctant to commit his future to the Bhoys, an exit was almost inevitable. He will be fondly remembered by the Celtic faithful for his role in their double-treble winning campaigns, and there will be a twinge of disappointment that he is heading for the Premier League. Still, there was no way the Hoops could compete with the wages he will be picking up in England and it is a chance for a new contender to emerge in the middle of the park. The Bhoys will have grown used to the constant roundabout of incomings and outgoings to England, and Armstrong joins a long list of talents to make the move not only south of the border, but to St Mary’s stadium from Celtic Park.