Celtic’s record incoming transfer fee stands at around £6m, a fee reported to be paid to Chelsea for striker Chris Sutton back at the turn of the century. Sutton was a wonderful player for the Hoops, contributing to much success and many memorable matches in his time at the club.
Since those heady days, the Hoops have tightened their belts greatly as the gulf in money available to them and to English and European clubs widens by the year.
However, they’re in a fantastic position financially and with the transfer market ballooning, even £6m doesn’t go as far as it once used to.
If Celtic are to ever break their transfer record they need to be sure they’re bringing a talent that will be a difference maker for seasons to come.
We reckon the man worth that kind of money is already in their midst – Patrick Roberts.
Here are three reasons why the Hoops can’t let him return to Manchester City without a fight…
Goals and assists galore
Patrick Roberts has directly contributed to 30 goals in his season and a half at the club, a number that could rise even higher before the end of the season. That consists of 15 goals of his own and 15 assists, in all competitions.
It’s a number that is even more impressive when you consider that this season he actually hasn’t been first choice in Brendan Rodgers’ XI, at least for the majority of it. James Forrest has more often than not got the nod and Roberts’ creativity has been exceptional in the circumstances.
In fact, with 14 assists this season alone, no-one has more than the young Englishman, leading the likes of Scott Sinclair, Kieran Tierney and Forrest in that regard.
It’s a goal threat worth shelling out for, especially if you think what he may be able to achieve if the club commit to him and he players week in and week out.
He’s only going to become more valuable
For argument’s sake, say Celtic do break their transfer record and spend around £7m for Patrick Roberts. That’s a hell of a fee for the Hoops to pay and in the short-term may raise eyebrows, but in the long-term it could prove to be a shrewd bit of business.
We’ve seen young players arrive at Celtic, progress further as players and then be sold on for fees beyond £10m. With the market only growing more and more, the same could be said for Roberts if he continues to progress at the current rate.
Two or three more seasons at the Hoops, performing well, attracting headlines, could see him eventually moved on for well more than what was initially paid for him.
Given he is already doing the business, it doesn’t even seem to be that much of a risk.
He’s shown great mentality and commitment
Perhaps what’s been most impressive about Patrick Roberts’ time at the club is his mentality and determination to give his all for a club in truth he owes no loyalty to. Celtic fans have seen many loan stars come and go at the club in recent seasons, many of them drop out of the team and never return, never really understanding what it is to play for Celtic.
Roberts is different. When he’s been out of the team he’s been a beacon of professionalism, he’s worked hard, he’s taken his chances, he’s won his way back into starting line-ups.
He also chose not to travel to the U20s World Cup in order to stay and help Celtic win the treble. It’s a kind of relationship you rarely see between loan players and clubs and shows he has an excellent mentality, loves the club and would give his all should Celtic choose to invest in his talent.
