Celts close in on £3m deal for Turnbull
CELTIC were last night closing in on Motherwell midfielder David Turnbull, with preliminary negotiations paving the way for a £3million transfer. One year after seeing his move to Glasgow’s east end fall through after a hitherto undetected knee issue required surgery, the Scotland Under-21 midfielder is poised to join Neil Lennon’s squad as they chase down a tenth successive title. Watched by Celtic scouts in each one of his matches for the Fir Park side this season, Turnbull’s outstanding displays in a struggling team saw the champions get back round the negotiating table. Although Tom Rogic is the subject of interest from an unnamed Qatari club, it’s understood the Turnbull deal doesn’t hinge on the Australian first completing his £4m switch. Wanted by Norwich City a year back, Turnbull travelled to Norfolk only for
Celtic to step in with the offer of a four-year deal. But the move took an extraordinary twist when a potentially serious knee issue was picked up in the medical. With the player poised to undergo surgery, an attempt to restructure the deal was made but the respective clubs couldn’t come to an agreement. Turnbull had to wait until February 25 to make his first appearance of last season against St Mirren, only for his comeback to be halted by the pandemic. He’s been a standout for Stephen Robinson’s men so far this season. However, last Friday, the Northern Irishman admitted: ‘If someone does come in for him, it’ll have to be for the right money and, if it is, we won’t stand in anyone’s way.’ Despite Lennon professing to be a big admirer of Rogic, it seems the Australian’s time at Celtic is over. Lennon has already recruited three players this summer — goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas arriving from AEK Athens and Albian Ajeti signing from West Ham, while Mohamed Elyounoussi has joined on a further year’s loan from Southampton. Shane Duffy, the Brighton defender, is proving tougher to land with the Seagulls demanding £2m for a oneyear loan deal and preferring that the Irishman switches permanently to West Ham. Celtic remain in the hunt for Aaron Hickey despite the Hearts defender being given a tour of Bayern Munich’s facilities last week. Hearts have yet to receive a bid from either club.