Celtic are blocking a move to Liverpool for one of their academy talents, it is being reported.
Dara Jikiemi reportedly agreed terms with Liverpool last month, missing youth matches for the Hoops ahead of a proposed move.
The 15-year-old defender is a Scottish youth international, and is yet to sign his first professional contract.
Jikiemi had also been pursued by Nottingham Forest, with the club bracing themselves for bids ahead of the January transfer window.
But now, things have seemingly hit a standstill, with Celtic unhappy over proposed compensation they would receive for the teenager.
Were Celtic right to invest £20 million in Barrowfield with so many academy players leaving?
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Celtic starlet Dara Jikeimi’s Liverpool move halted
Celtic have been in this movie before, losing Ben Gannon-Doak in similar circumstances to the same club in 2022.
Liam Smith, Aidan Borland and Barry Hepburn have all left in similar circumstances in recent years.
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And now, according to This is Anfield, there will be no Liverpool move for Jikeimi for now.
Instead, they will be signing Senegalese youngster Talla Ndiaye and Austrian Ifeanyi Ndukwe for their under-21 squad.
Furthermore, The Secret Scout has reported that Celtic are ‘not happy’ and are ‘digging in heels’ regarding fee and compensation for Jikiemi.
Typically, in deals for players as young as this, clubs will negotiate packages which include fees, sell-ons and, most importantly, sell-on clauses.
With young players not on long-term professional contracts, clubs in Celtic’s position are pretty powerless to negotiate when players want to leave.
Regardless, Celtic are clearly holding out for what they feel they deserve, and this is causing a delay in the move for now.
The first thing I would do if I was on the Celtic board is – – – –
Dermot Desmond arrives at Celtic Park
Dermot Desmond arrives at Celtic Park Credit: Getty Images/Ian MacNicol
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Celtic’s current academy prospects
Colby Donovan is the most recent academy graduate into the first team. He has made nine league appearances this season.
Kyle Ure and Jude Bonnar are on loan at Scott Brown’s Ayr United, with Brown recently praising them both.
Mark Wilson’s Partick Thistle have Josh Clarke and Ben McPherson on loan – they also had Sean McArdle until he was recalled by the Hoops in January.
Emmanuel Obidiwe, Finlay Hale and Samuel Isiguzo are among the standout talents currently in the B team
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