Ange Postecoglou last tonight denied that Celtic are in the running for either Edouard Michut or Aaron Mooy. However, the manager did reveal he would like to bring in two more players and that he is also willing to wait if need be, but is nevertheless happy with the progress made with player registrations this close season despite wishing he had everyone in place at the beginning of the pre-season.
After the additions of Daizen Maeda, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Jota on permanent deals following their loan spells, Postecoglou has also retrieved the signature of both Alexandro Bernabei from Lanus and free agent Benjamin Seigrist, formerly of Dundee United. With more business yet to be done, the supporters have been clamouring for links to new, fresh and exciting names.
Ange said as reported by Scottish Sun: “We are still working away in the background. We know what we need. We are working with some targets. We are in no rush to get it done. There is nothing, in terms of players we are being linked to at the moment, that’s going to happen in the near future. Or at all, in some of the cases. I have an interest in every good footballer in the world — but there is a limited market I can tap into.”
When asked directly about the PSG youngster and attacking midfielder Michut, he replied: “Yeah, good player, but no.”
It was a similar scenario regarding the experienced Mooy – who Ange also coached at international level and still admires to this day. Of the possibility of him reuniting, he answered: “Aaron’s a fantastic footballer, somebody I know really well. I guess he’s getting linked with us. I’m sure he’ll get picked up, he’s a good player, a talented player. He’s another footballer who is very much talented and very much in my range. But, that doesn’t mean we’re going to bring him in, no.”
He was also keen to point out that he is content with the work done so far in terms of recruitment, whilst acknowledging the need for discussions with players who are looking to leave the club for pastures new. He added: “We have got a plan that we are sticking to and so far I am pretty happy with the progress we’re making on all fronts. And hopefully there will be some news coming out in the next few weeks before the season starts. Again, that’s stuff that’s happening in the background. And a lot of that stuff is driven by the players themselves. I’m sure over the next couple of weeks I’ll have discussions with players who potentially are facing a future elsewhere.”
The Celtic manager shooting down the Michut story which was broken by Sky Sports News yesterday afternoon, is pretty embarrassing for the subscription broadcaster, given their information was so specific regarding the stage that the proposed deal was at, the price that was being discussed and so on.
However French media yesterday morning were reporting that the PSG midfielder was the subject of interest from Spanish side Seville with the price being quoted at 8 million Euros, ie nowhere near the price that Sky Sports reckoned Celtic were about to trade at.
Full story; #Celtic target £2m+ #PSG starlet Edouard Michut – but could faced competition from other top French clubs https://t.co/pf8HT0SpZz
— Lyall Thomas (@SkySportsLyall) July 13, 2022
Sky Sports reported: “Celtic are targeting a deal for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Edouard Michut. One source has told Sky Sports News that the Scottish club are preparing an offer in the region of £2m (€2.5m) for the 19-year-old.
“Michut is a France U19 midfielder who has been impressing in PSG’s academy – but he has also played six times for PSG in Ligue 1 and twice in the Coupe de France. He was in and around the first-team squad last season and also scored twice in eight appearances in the UEFA youth league.
“Reports in France at the end of the season claimed he has become frustrated at the lack of a pathway into the first team at the Parc des Princes and is looking to leave this summer.”
Even transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported on the Sky Sports story yesterday afternoon, as did The Celtic Star, just about all of the Celtic fan media and of course the entire mainstream media.
Celtic are in advanced talks to sign Edouard Michut. Paris Saint-Germain are open to let him go – first proposal to be submitted soon, permanent deal now discussed. 🚨🟢 #CelticFC
Opening bid will be around €2.5m, as @SkySportsLyall advanced. pic.twitter.com/lNGp0EJWZr
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 13, 2022
Celtic target Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Edouard Michut https://t.co/K5ZDKmAWJ4
— The Celtic Star Editor (@CelticStarMag) July 13, 2022
A much better source is the Celtic manager and Ange has said ‘no’.
Paul Gillespie
