06 Jan 2019 08:33:28
Ed, you may have spoken about this before but can you or someone else explain who sets up the transfer deals . Say for instance, the forward we are linked with . We bid 1.7 million, we obviously scout him but who sets his value? Is it Rogers saying don't go above 2 million, or Congerton. Or would it be Lawwell ( who has been accused of penn pinching loads of times ) . If Brendan wants him could he say just pay what they want? For some reason we take ages to get players over the line, I’m sure i read we had a deal in place for Odsonne at first with PSG, let the time pass then they increased their value .

{Ed002's Note - I can't explain for Celtic but I can tell you how other clubs decide. The scouting staff will prepare reports on players and provide an idea about price; coaches will look at the players but have no idea about price; they will go to a Director of Football (or perhaps a mix of the finance director and others responsible for the monies) and say we would like this player and we think he will cost £x. Checking against available budgets, the club will likely approach his agent to ask if the player might be interested in the move and a broad idea about the package the player would want, and any broad idea about what the club would want - and what terms they may be open to (cash up front, spread over a year etc.). This sits inside the overall transfer process which looks something like this:
The process should be along the lines of: Clubs will typically informally ask an agent (a) if the player is going to be available, and (b) would the player consider a move to the club. There may be some broad discussion on the sort of deal that would be offered but no more than that. If the answer is yes, it is then necessary for the club to approach the player's club to ask if they would be willing to sell and if they would grant permission to speak to a player's agent formally about a transfer and possibly even the player about actually making a move. This will typically involve either broadly (through an offer) or actually agreeing a fee and responsibility for any significant costs (agents fees etc.). Once this has happened the club will be able to speak to the player's agent and perhaps the player himself to look at the package that will be involved. Many players are looked at and discussed at a high-level with agents and clubs; a subset of those have an offer placed; a subset of those involve discussions with the player's club; a subset of those involve discussions over terms, and; a subset of those go ahead.

Agents will often try and get more specific details of wages and other financials before they should - but most clubs are happy to follow this process. Players will often talk to other players about moves but, whilst wrong, is tolerated as it would be impossible to manage.

Alternatively, a selling club may ask an agent to find a new club for a player and he will talk directly to poetntial selling sides about the fee, personal terms and interest.

The rest of the time agents will be on fishing trips trying to find interest in their players.

In terms of what happens when the negotiations take place, broad agreement (player available and open to discussions, understanding of the price) will already have been reached. The clubs will meet to discuss the details of the transfer fee, other costs associated with the move and the structure of the payments and any additional fees (e.g another €5M for winning the Champions League etc.) but this does not take a "few days".}

1.) 06 Jan 2019
06 Jan 2019 20:06:05
So for the likes of Dembele Ed, have you any idea how much Celtic would have received up front. I'm assuming Lyon wouldn't pay all £20m or whatever it was all at once? In other words, how much do Celtic have in the pot?

{Ed007's Note - The Dembele fee was paid in full after Lawwell played hardball.}

2.) 06 Jan 2019
06 Jan 2019 20:52:48
Isnt that pretty unusual? But means we have £20m in the bank to splash on a striker, cb and rb is pretty useful haha.

{Ed007's Note - Yes it's unusual but after Dembele's antics Lawwell wanted to get a dig back at them and that was it - he could leave if Lyon stumped up the fee up front which really was putting the ball back in their court, if Lyon refused it would be their fault the transfer didn't go through and Dembele would probably still be a Celtic player.}

3.) 06 Jan 2019
06 Jan 2019 21:50:15
Good old pistol pete.

4.) 06 Jan 2019
06 Jan 2019 22:45:44
So with all that said and now done Well done Mr Lawwell but we know need a replacement thanks MR Lawwell hopefully.

{Ed007's Note - I say it again and again, you can't fault Peter Lawwell for the money he brings into the Club, it's when it comes to spending it there's a problem.}