AS BIDDING WAR LOOMS FOR NICHOLAS KUHN CELTIC NEED TO HOLD FIRM ON PRICE
- BY LIAM CARRIGAN
- Jun 28
- 2 min read
As is often the case during the summer transfer window, once it becomes clear a club will entertain offers for a decent player, more clubs start to show interest.
Such is the case with Nicholas Kuhn, Celtic’s German winger.
Como and Leipzig are Interested in Nicholas Kuhn, Celtic can Set the Price
As negotiations progressed with RB Leipzig last week, but agreement on the fee remained out of reach, Italian side Como decided to have a look.
It remains to be seen if they will follow up on their initial interest, however, now that the proverbial cat is out of the bag, expect other clubs to also come in for Kuhn.
This is where it is crucial that Celtic hold firm on their valuation. Word is the club wants 20 million, but would, perhaps accept 15 million if a suitable sell-on clause was worked into the deal.
We certainly no longer need to accept anything lower than that. If Leipzig want their former youth player back, then they will need to meet Celtic’s valuation.
Newcastle were, at one time, thought to be interested in Kuhn as well, so there is every chance they, or another club in the EPL may be tempted to enter the fray.
It’s also important to remember that, for all his loss of form and seeming huffy demeanor, Kuhn himself has not expressed any desire to leave Celtic.
There is no need to sell the player this summer if we don’t want to. Body language alone seldom proves an accurate indicator of someone’s actual state of mind.
However, the confirmation yesterday of Benjamin Nygren’s arrival and the increasing likelihood that Antwerp’s Michel-Ange Balikwisha may soon join him, means Celtic won’t be short of options on the right flank should Kuhn decide to move on.
In all honesty this is the perfect position for Celtic to be in. We can sit back, wait, and see if any acceptable bids come in. However, we have the player tied down on a long term deal, and we certainly don’t need the money.
I'd still love to see us keep Kuhn if possible. He's proven he can do it in the Champions League, and that's the level of ambition we need to maintain going into next season.
Celtic win, whichever way it goes. If a deal for Kuhn ultimately doesn't materialize this summer then I don’t think Celtic will suddenly be in a rush to issue penny shares or sell the club for a quid!
Celtic usually sell at least one first team regular each summer. If, this summer, it turns out to be Nicholas Kuhn and that means we keep Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate for a while longer then I’d accept that.
However, if Kuhn does move on, then I expect to see the bulk of that money reinvested in the team, regardless of when it happens.
That’s the only part of this situation that has me, and indeed most other Celtic fans I’ve spoken to, slightly concerned.
