Celtic manager Martin O’Neil has revealed the Scottish champions believed they had an agreement in place to keep Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho before the Nigerian completed a move to Turkish second-tier side Bursaspor, Footynaija.com reports.
Iheanacho appeared set to remain at Celtic Park for the new season, with the Hoops keen to retain his services after his impactful performances during their run to a domestic double last term.
However, talks eventually broke down after Celtic were unwilling to meet Iheanacho’s reported wage demands of £50,000 per week, paving the way for the Nigerian striker to continue his career in Turkey.
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“There are always two sides to every transfer,” O’Neil said, per quotes on Daily Record.
“He’s gone, I thought we had a deal with him at the time but that wasn’t the case and so he’s gone to pastures new.
“The option ran out, that’s fine. But the option would be to take someone on similar terms to before, so that’s where the difference was.”
Celtic suffer massive blow with Kelechi Iheanacho’s exit
Iheanacho was instrumental to Celtic’s late-season resurgence and success, scoring six goals off the bench in his final nine appearances, including an extra-time brace against Dunfermline Athletic to secure the Scottish Cup crown.
While O’Neil admitted Celtic ultimately missed out on retaining Iheanacho, the veteran manager insisted there were no hard feelings towards the Nigerian, revealing he had hoped to work with the striker throughout pre-season after his impressive finish to the last campaign.
“Well Kelechi did terrifically well for us as an impact player coming on. He started one game in my two spells against Dundee United but it would have been nice to have him for pre-season. He’s chosen to go elsewhere.
“I don’t know what date. I just tried to answer it the best possible way and I thought we had a deal with him but it didn’t materialise. If he’s gone to another club, that’s his decision.”
Iheanacho’s move to Bursaspor brings an end to his brief but productive spell at Celtic, where he rediscovered form during the closing stages of last season.
The 29-year-old will now be expected to play a leading role in the Green Crocodiles’ push for promotion back to the Turkish Super Lig, while Celtic must turn their attention to finding another attacking option ahead of the new campaign.
