Kelechi Iheanacho’s move to Turkish side Bursaspor has left Celtic manager Martin O’Neill surprised, with the veteran boss admitting he believed the Super Eagles forward was set to remain at Parkhead before the deal collapsed.
Speaking after Celtic’s pre-season draw with Middlesbrough, O’Neill revealed he had been convinced an agreement was already in place before the situation changed dramatically.
He’s gone, I thought we had a deal with him at the time but that wasn’t the case and so he’s gone to pastures new
the 74-year-old said in quotes carried by the Daily Record.
According to the Celtic boss, the club had hoped to keep the striker on terms close to his previous contract after letting the one-year extension option in his deal lapse, but talks broke down once Iheanacho’s camp pushed for a significantly bigger package.
Celtic’s offer was said to be worth around £12,000 per week, potentially rising to £17,000 with bonuses, while the striker’s representatives were understood to be holding out for something closer to £50,000 a week.
While Celtic hesitated, Bursaspor acted decisively. The Turkish second-tier side wrapped up negotiations within 24 hours, winning the race for Iheanacho’s signature with a lucrative contract and a clear long-term project built around an immediate promotion push back to the Super Lig.
Notably, the 29-year-old is understood to have consulted several other Super Eagles players already based in Turkey before committing to the move, ending months of speculation over his future with a three-year deal. O’Neill, for his part, admitted he would have liked to have had the forward available for pre-season preparations, adding that the decision to move on was ultimately Iheanacho’s to make.
Iheanacho arrives in Turkey as one of the Super Eagles’ most experienced attacking options, having scored nine goals in a productive Celtic spell that included a domestic double last season. His switch to Bursaspor keeps him playing regularly rather than sitting on a reduced role, which should work in Nigeria’s favour heading into the country’s ongoing World Cup preparations.
It also adds him to a growing group of Super Eagles stars now based in Turkish football, several of whom reportedly played a role in convincing him the move made sense.
Bursaspor, one of Turkey’s most historic clubs and a former Super Lig champion, will be looking to Iheanacho to spearhead their push for an immediate return to the top flight.
Celtic Football club now shifts to finding a replacement forward before the new season gets underway, with O’Neill left to reflect on a deal that got away.
