REPORT:As celtic manager react to the ongoing summer transfer window
Brendan Rodgers is distancing himself from speculation linking Premier League duo Ryan Fraser and Daniel Podence with summer moves to Celtic from Newcastle United and Wolves respectively.
When the Daily Record reported earlier this month that Scotland international Ryan Fraser had been offered to the Premiership champions, they made sure to point out that Newcastle United’s forgotten man would not command a substantial transfer fee.
The same cannot be said of Daniel Podence, however.
Wolves, according to Sky Sports, are likely to require £12 million for the Portuguese playmaker. A fee which would make Podence the most expensive signing in Celtic’s entire history.
That is not to say a record-breaking deal is not possible. Celtic were reported, at the start of the summer, to have a budget of around £30 million, and they have made more than they have spent since then, thanks largely to Jota’s head-spinning switch to Saudi Arabia (Give Me Sport).
Celtic could raid Newcastle or Wolves
Rodgers, however, was in no mood to give anything away when asked if there were any updates on Fraser or Podence at his Friday press conference.
“No (updates),” a blunt Rodgers tells Football Scotland. “None at all.”
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe was similarly distant during his own pre-match discussion; the Magpies facing a litmus test of their recent progress away to Manchester City.
Wolves’ Gary O’Neil, however, was a little more forthcoming.
“I’m looking at all of them,” O’Neil said when discussing the future of some of Wolves’ exit-linked players, Podence one of many. “Things move quickly in transfer windows and things can change. But they’re training with the group and are giving everything.
“Both Jonny (Castro Otto) and Podence have trained really well. But they’re in with the group and we’re assessing all of them. Everyone is together at the moment, and it will remain that way until something changes.”
