Hibernian chief Rod Petrie is playing hardball with Celtic in crunch transfer negotiations as the Hoops look to sign midfield maestro John McGinn, according to the Daily Record.
The newspaper claim on their website that the Bhoys have seen an offer of £1.5million rejected by their Premiership counterparts as the chairman looks to hold out for £3million, and is said to be willing to keep him if no one meets their valuation.
It means that Brendan Rodgers’ side would need to double their bid if they are to snap up the Hibs man, with the report stating that they are considering the option of leaving a pursuit until January, when he will be able to sign a pre-contract to join on a free next summer.
Good move for Celtic?
Rodgers and the Bhoys do look to have tried with a cheeky low bid to try and prise McGinn away from Hibernian, and they probably expected the offer to be turned down.
At £3million he is by no means a cheap signing when it comes to Scottish football, and the Parkhead outfit need to decide whether he is someone they desperately need right now, or whether they can afford to wait a year and bring him in for nothing.
With Stuart Armstrong gone, they could probably use his abilities right away, but the £3million price tag seems to be causing some issues in discussions.
This is Futbol rating: 7.5/10
Likely to happen?
If anyone is going to splash £3million out on a player who is coming to the end of his contract, it will be Celtic.
They have far more financial power than any other side in Scotland and really it is not too much of an issue for them.
If this was any other side seeking his capture, maybe Hibs would not be so resistant to let him go for anything less, but the Bhoys are known to have the cash to splash, and Petrie is trying to making the most of that.
This is Futbol rating: 8/10