Everton are yet to give up in their pursuit of Celtic’s defensive star Alistair Johnston this summer, as the key reason behind the transfer stalemate between the clubs comes to light.
Johnston, 27, had emerged as a major target for the Merseyside giants this summer, with Celtic manager Martin O’Neill admitting last month that he had fielded a call from Everton boss David Moyes informing him of the club’s intention to bid for the right-back. Following that phone call, the Toffees offered a fee of £12million plus £3million in add-ons for the Canadian international.
However, that bid was rejected by the Scottish champions, who are understood to be holding out for a higher fee. Speaking about the rumoured interest in Johnston’s services, the veteran Celtic manager also reiterated his desire to hang on to the defender until after their Champions League qualifying clash with LASK.
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Everton boss David Moyes retains an interest in Celtic’s Alistair Johnston.placeholder image
Everton boss David Moyes retains an interest in Celtic’s Alistair Johnston. | Peter Byrne/PA
However, according to a report from Mark Douglas in the iPaper, the English Premier League club has not yet given up hope of signing Johnston this summer, with the deal “not yet dead” as the Toffees look to strengthen their options at right-back. Following the loss of long-serving captain Seamus Coleman this summer, the club are desperate to add strength at full-back, and Johnston has been viewed as the club's ‘priority’ target for the position.
Everton have added depth to their engine room in recent weeks, signing Middlesbrough captain Hayden Hackney and Arsenal midfielder Christian Norgaard. They’ve struck up a deal with Crystal Palace for winger Brennan Johnson on Tuesday, with Dwight McNeil going in the opposite direction.
However, they are ready to concentrate their efforts on bringing in a much-desired right-back ahead of the season opener against Crystal Palace at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on August 22, with Johnston still on the club’s shopping list ahead of the September 3 transfer deadline. Should a move materialise, though, it is clear that Everton will need to increase their offer for the former CF Montreal man.
According to the report, the move for Johnston stalled over a £5million difference in valuation, not due to Celtic’s demand to hang on to the defender until after the Champions League qualifiers, as previously suggested. West Ham United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Genoa’s Brooke Norton-Cuffy are viewed as alternative targets, with the club retaining interest in Johnston but keeping their options open as they bid to solve a major gap in their squad.