Celtic found themselves in an uncomfortable scenario on transfer deadline day.
Nottingham Forest put in several bids for Arne Engels, but given how late the English Premier League side knocked on Celtic’s door, those in the Parkhead boardroom had to turn it down.
One of the reasons was that Celtic didn’t have a replacement, but perhaps there was a player sitting at Manchester City available to them.
The Open Goal panel discussed Kalvin Phillips’ move to Sheffield United, and why the champions of Scotland didn’t secure the services of a player Pep Guardiola was no longer using.
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Celtic should have signed Kalvin Phillips from Manchester City
Forget about Engels, Celtic still need bite and defensive stability in the middle of the park, so a player like Phillips would have been a brilliant signing.
Speaking on Open Goal, Si Ferry questioned whether he was being ‘unrealistic’ but thinks Celtic should have signed the England midfielder.
Ross McCormack agreed and explained that Celtic and Manchester City would have had ‘a line of contact’ since the summer.
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Si Ferry: “I see it come up, and I don’t know whether I am being unrealistic here, but Kalvin Phillips goes to Sheffield United.
“Surely, Celtic could go and try to get Kalvin Phillips, no?”
Andy Halliday: “He would be on some wage.”
Ross McCormack: “I said that to my old man as well. See if you base it on recent interactions with Celtic and Manchester City. You have got to think there is a line of contact there.”
What is Kalvin Phillips’ weekly wage at Manchester City after Sheffield United loan
If Celtic had decided to pursue Phillips, one of the biggest stumbling blocks would have been his wages.
What’s interesting is that Phillips, who came through the Leeds United academy, returned to Yorkshire on deadline day and signed for Sheffield United on loan.
It is unclear how much of Phillips’ wages the Blades are covering, as he is on a substantial salary at Manchester City.
Phillips annual salary: £7,800,000
Phillips’ weekly wage: £150,000
Contract end: 2028
Source: Spotrac
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