TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT...
Celts to move on if Turnbull declines ‘magnificent’ offer
CELTIC last night warned they are prepared to walk away from the deal for Motherwell midfielder David Turnbull. The Parkhead club agreed a fee of £2.8million plus add-ons for the 19-year-old earlier this week. In a strongly-worded statement, however, the Scottish champions revealed they had failed to reach an agreement over his salary despite a ‘magnificent’ offer and said they are prepared to move on if talks with Turnbull’s agent Liam O’Donnell remain deadlocked.
Sportsmail understands the deal on the table would see Turnbull earn in excess of £12,000 a week plus appearance money at Parkhead. Two English Premier League clubs and three English Championship sides are also interested in the Scotland Under-21 star. As yet, however, Celtic are the only club to agree a fee with Motherwell and insist they
will not be increasing their offer. ‘Celtic was pleased to agree a record-breaking fee with Motherwell FC and we have quickly followed this up with a fantastic offer to the player through his agent,’ read a statement. ‘Currently, we have been unable to come to an agreement with the player’s agent. ‘Celtic is content that it has made a magnificent offer and it is now up to the agent and player to decide if the player wants to join Celtic. If not, we move on.’ English Championship side Barnsley are the only other club to bid so far, their offer falling far below what Celtic are prepared to pay. A source close to Turnbull — a Motherwell fan — insists the player’s motivation is career-based rather than purely financial. The midfielder scored 16 goals in 34 games in his breakthrough season after signing a new contract in January and is quite prepared to stay put at Fir Park. Indeed, Celtic’s statement caused bemusement in his camp after they believed negotiations were progressing normally. ‘For David, it’s about playing football,’ said the source. ‘He wants to go somewhere he will play.’