Celtic podcaster Paul John Dykes believes that the Hoops’ transfer policy has changed in recent times.
Dykes was hosting the latest episode of the ‘A Celtic State of Mind’ podcast and discussed many issues surrounding the club’s transfers. He also focused on the club’s transfer policy and he feels that it has changed from how it used to be some years ago.
The Hoops have already signed three players in the current summer transfer window. Vasilis Barkas joined from Greek club AEK Athens, while they have also sealed the permanent signature of Albian Ajeti, who has arrived from West Ham United. Mohamed Elyounoussi re-joined on loan from Southampton.
When talking about the club’s transfer policy, Dykes said that the Hoops are signing players of a ‘higher calibre’ now than they used to. He believes that Celtic are signing expensive players more often than they did in previous years.
He said: “It is my suggestion that our signing policy is moving towards signing players of a higher calibre and players who are less of a risk because your £2-2.5 million market – the development players of whom we have signed numerous over the last 10, 15 years – for me, you’re getting one success in four, one success in five, even.
Do you think Celtic's transfer policy has changed?
I don't think so
Yes, it has changed
“It is as though they’re drying up as time goes on. People will point out [Moussa] Dembele – unique circumstances behind the transfer fee of Dembele at the time, but he was the last one. You couldn’t put [Odsonne] Edouard in that category because he cost us £9 million.”
TIF Thoughts…
Looking at last year’s arrivals, Celtic signed Christopher Jullien from Toulouse in the summer of 2019 for a fee of £7.2 million. Boli Bolingoli joined for a fee more than £2 million and the same was the case for Patryk Klimala, who joined in January. Even this summer, the Hoops have signed more expensive players in Barkas and Ajeti.
Ajeti has been signed for £4.5 million and Barkas joined for an initial fee of £2.95 million. That goes to show that a majority of players being signed now are more expensive ones. Because of that, there seems to be less emphasis on signing what Dykes describes as ‘development’ players. It will be interesting to see if this policy helps them win their 10th Premiership title in a row this season.