Complications mount for Alistair Johnston’s transfer to Everton

Complications mount for Alistair Johnston’s transfer to Everton

Alistair Johnson has reportedly told Celtic that he wants to leave to take up the opportunity to join David Moyes at Everton. But Celtic are in no rush to allow the Canadian to leave with crucial Champions League playoff matches just around the corner…

Celtic in no rush to sell

The Scottish Champions are in no rush to complete the transfer, preferring the Canadian international right-back to remain at the club for the Champions League play-off matches against Austrian Champions LASK with the first leg at Celtic Park on the 19 August and the return game in Linz six days later.

Unless Celtic take a significant lead to Austria then the earliest date that Alistair Johnston’s transfer wish can happen and he gets his desired move to the Premier League side would be on Wednesday 26 August.

Everton will have to meet Celtic’s valuation and pay a premium for quick sale

Everton have yet to meet Celtic’s valuation of the Canadian defender but if they want a speedy transfer meaning Alistair Johnston would not be involved in the Champions League playoff matches then the price would rise from around £15m to closer to £20m.

Julian Araujo has undergone surgery

Another factor to consider is the news from Bournemouth today that Julian Araujo has undergone surgery on his left thigh after sustaining a muscle injury on the club’s pre-season tour in Austria.

Colby Donovan of Celtic and Jeremy Sarmiento of Middlesbrough Celtic v Middlesbrough, Pre Season Friendly, Football, Celtic Park, 18 July 2026. Phil Oldham/Shutterstock

That rules the Mexican International out as a possible replacement for Alistair Johnston , leaving Martin O’Neill with Colby Donovan and Anthony Ralston as his two right back options, and hoping Michael Nicholson can get in a suitable replacement before the window closes.

Add that to his shopping list of a goalkeeper, left back, two midfielder and two wingers and probably one or two more….

Johnston’s mentality is always spot-on

The danger in keeping Alistair Johnston is that he might have one eye on his transfer in games that are worth around £40m to the winners. That though shouldn’t be the case with AJ, whereas it might with other players. His mentality from the minute he arrived at the club has been spot on and that’s the way he’d want to leave.

Alistair Johnston of Celtic. Celtic v Dundee, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 3 August 2026. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO Shutterstock

So Everton can be patient and get the lower price or pay a premium to get Alistair in early. The choice will be theirs. Celtic are perfectly entitled to tell the player that he can go in this transfer window but not until after the LASK games are out of the way.

The Everton support’s disrespect

The Everton support’s disrespect for this transfer is bang out of order. Perhaps they’ve had their fingered burnt through their last right-back purchased from Scotland, who was greatly hyped but has never justified the fee paid.

They’re in for a pleasant surprise if they end up with Alistair Johnston in their team and maybe one or two will put their hands up and apologise for the nonsense we’ve been reading from them on social media.

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