RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesReport: Everton still pushing for deal to sign Celtic star
Everton Transfer News: Alistair Johnston Talks Drag On as Celtic Hold Firm
Everton want Alistair Johnston. The player wants Everton. David Moyes likes him a lot. And yet, for all that clarity, the deal is still stuck where so many summer moves get stuck, on the money.
According to TeamTalk, Everton are “pressing ahead with negotiations” for the Celtic right-back, but there is “still significant work to do before any transfer can be considered done”. That is the essence of it. Interest is real, talks are active, progress is limited.
Celtic’s position is simple enough. They want “a package in the region of £15million all-in” and they are not moving off that lightly. Everton, at this stage, “are yet to show a willingness to match that figure”, which explains why discussions remain in a “holding pattern”.
This is the reality of Everton’s transfer market under Moyes. Targets are identified, the profile is clear, the need is obvious, but every negotiation has to be measured. Johnston fits because Everton need a right-back and because Moyes reportedly sees him as a player of “energy, aggression and intensity”. That reads like a Moyes full-back, functional, committed, physically reliable, no frills required.
Photo by IMAGO
Everton Transfer News Points to Clear Right-Back Priority
There is no mystery around the squad planning here. TeamTalk state that “a new right-back is one of Everton’s priorities” and that they have “settled on Johnston as their leading target”. When a club gets to that stage, alternatives exist more as leverage than conviction.
Yes, Ridle Baku is mentioned as another option. Yes, Everton “also have alternatives should a deal not go through”. But the same report adds Johnston is “the far more likely addition at this stage”. In other words, this is the one they want to make happen.
That makes Celtic’s leverage stronger. Johnston is under contract until 2029, Celtic are “under no immediate pressure to sell” and they are “prepared to wait rather than settle for a lower offer”. Everton know all of that. So does everyone else.
Alistair Johnston Deal Looks Straightforward, If Fee Is Met
The encouraging part for Everton is that the player side appears uncomplicated. TeamTalk report that Johnston is “fully supportive of the switch” and “ready to finalise terms with Everton once the clubs reach agreement”. Personal terms are not expected to be an issue.
That usually matters. If a player is pushing, things can accelerate quickly once the bid reaches the right level. For now, though, “the focus remains on bridging the valuation gap”. Until Everton decide to edge closer to Celtic’s demands, or Celtic soften, this one remains alive but unresolved.
That is where it stands. Everton want their man, Celtic want their price, and Moyes waits.
Photo: IMAGO
Our View
From an Everton supporter’s perspective, this feels familiar, maybe too familiar. We all know the club need a right-back. We all know Moyes likes certain traits, discipline, work rate, toughness, and Johnston sounds like he ticks every box. Fine. But if he is the leading target, then why are we still reading about valuation gaps and talks dragging on?
If Celtic want £15million, then Everton either think the player is worth it or they do not. This endless middle ground does nobody any favours. Supporters have seen enough windows where the club spend weeks circling a target only to either overpay late or move on after wasting time. It is not clever if it drags into August and leaves obvious holes in the side.
There is also the usual concern about whether Everton are shopping for need or shopping for value. Those are not always the same thing. Johnston may well be a good fit, but if the club are convinced, just get on with it. And if they are not convinced, then move to the next option quickly and stop briefing everyone that talks are ongoing.
The detail that stands out is Celtic having no pressure to sell. That means Everton are the club under pressure, not them. The season does not wait for perfect negotiations. Supporters will want this sorted one way or another, because a “holding pattern” is not a strategy, it is a delay.
Source: TeamTalk
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