Celtic Negotiates Premier League Move for Alistair Johnston
Celtic find themselves in familiar territory this summer: a key player in demand, serious money on the table, and a decision looming that could shape the months ahead at Parkhead.
According to the Daily Record, a Premier League club have lodged an initial offer of £12 million plus add-ons for Canadian right-back Alistair Johnston. The package, once all clauses are triggered, is understood to be worth up to £15m for a defender who still has three years left on his Celtic deal.
That starting figure has not been enough to move Celtic yet. The Scottish champions are pushing for an improved proposal and are in no rush to cash in, fully aware of the leverage that comes with a long contract and a player who has become a fixture in their back line.
Johnston’s stance, though, is clear. The 25-year-old is believed to be keen on a switch to the Premier League and has made his ambitions known to club officials over the course of the window. The attraction is obvious: a step into what is widely regarded as the toughest league in the world, with the financial rewards and spotlight to match.
Celtic, for now, are holding their ground. No agreement has been reached, no medical booked, no farewell penned. Yet the mood around the deal is shifting. Reports suggest that a compromise is expected to be “thrashed out,” with a growing sense that Johnston will move on before the window closes.
Manager Martin O’Neill has already addressed the situation publicly, acknowledging both the interest and the player’s mindset.
“I've spoken to him on the back of the interest,” O’Neill said when asked about Everton’s pursuit of Johnston. “Again, it was one of those where Alistair is perfectly happy here at the football club.
“But like anything else, your head can get turned very quickly, particularly if it's a really good club.
“He wouldn't leave here for a second-class Premier League club, if there is such a thing, but if a big, big club comes in, it's something you would have to look at. And I think it's only natural as well. If I were a player, I'd be exactly the same.”
That last line cuts to the heart of the matter. Celtic know they cannot completely shut the door when a major Premier League side comes calling and the player wants to test himself at that level. The challenge now is to make sure the fee reflects Johnston’s importance and the difficulty of replacing him.
For Celtic, this is a negotiation not just about numbers, but about status and standards. For Johnston, it is the crossroads every ambitious player waits for.
