James McCarthy

I'd be surprised if Everton let him go for anything less than 12m. West Brom have apparently offered/ready to offer 15m. No way we will get anywhere close to matching that.

 

I would like Celtic to sign McCarthy on loan in January then see him play in midfield alongside Brown etc. The deal I would be interested in Celtic securing is a January loan with option to buy next summer for an agreed price. However I now have a reservation about signing McCarthy and that is him playing for Celtic could inhibit the development of Stuart Armstrong. I have been very impressed with Stuart since he moved to play in central midfield. Plus I think Armstrong and Brown are forming a good midfield partnership. Therefore while I reckon Celtic need better squad strength in depth, I would like all new signings to complement the rest of the first team squad and not exclude any of the current first 11 from regular game time.

Perhaps McCarthy's inclusion could work with a diamond midfield formation whereby McCarthy would anchor midfield, Brown and Armstrong play more advanced and Rogic spearhead the diamond. This midfield formation could be supported by Sinclair / Mackay-Steven and Forrest / Roberts on opposite flanks. Simunovic, Sviatchenko and Toure / Lustig at centre half. Plus Dembele / Griffiths leading the line and Gordon in goals. Or a slightly amended formation with Tierney (when fit) and Lustig / Gamboa on the defensive flanks, Simunovic and Sviatchenko at centre half. 3 of Brown, Armstrong, Rogic or McCarthy in central midfield depending on the calibre of opponent (eg. attacking or more defensive formation), Sinclair / Mackay-Steven and Forrest / Roberts on the wings and Dembele / Griffiths up front. I would like Celtic to improve their squad quality strength in depth, because it could then allow Rodgers to be more strategic about his first 11 formation, rather than simply sending out the best 11 players. This would also keep players more refreshed since it would allow squad rotation.

However in reality, according to the papers, it appears there could be a bidding war by EPL clubs for McCarthy in January with £15m being mentioned as a potential transfer fee. I trust a £15 million transfer fee would almost certainly rule out a Celtic bid. Therefore I think the only likelihood of McCarthy signing for Celtic in the near future, is for the player to force his transfer there. Sadly big money normally talks so it is probably more likely should Everton sell McCarthy soon, they will seek to cash in on his services rather than heed the player's club preference.

 

I said before I don't see it happening but from my own perspective I don't want it to happen either. I don't think it makes any sense either financially or for the team. Realistically the only option is a loan move with an option to buy, a guy with a contract until 2020 or so? isn't going for peanuts. We are going to win the league anyways so we need to bed players in from January for the champions league qualifiers. Now I would far prefer them to be permanent signings not a loan option with a view to probably the biggest fee we have ever spent which even then might not be enough. To many ifs buts and maybes about this.

 

I think we could get him on a Loan deal but it would need to be for 12-18 months to fulfill the CL games we don't need him to win domestically so if we cant secure a longer term deal then whats the point.

 

Only way he will come here is if he wants to and Everton will probably want to sell so we've no chance there since 15M is spare change for EPL clubs nowadays. Even Bournemouth could pay that.
I think we are better going and finding someone abroad who is cheaper and just as good, McCarthy is not worth the money for us.
Would rather we try and get Ledley back than get McCarthy.

 

12 month loan with an option to buy if we're in Europe after Christmas seems logical imo.

Sent from my E6553 using Tapatalk

 

What am I like eh? :brendy:

That photo will get removed by the way, happened to me last night

 

Seen that, think that's a load of * tbh.

Should be able to post up screenshots or copy and paste from articles. Quite like when the back pages are posted.

 

My thoughts exactly.

It's not a link, just a screenshot.

 

Didn't contribute much tonight

 

You sure?

He got a standing ovation when he came off. Seems like the everton fans still want him around at the very least.

 

He actually played well against the Gooners.
Which is a worry, because they might want to hold on to him now.
That is why we need a Plan B.

 

McCarthy isn't the plan A though. He's just a "Let's see what happens" kind of player. We will have 3 other players being looked at for that position.

 

Aye 3 * SPL players!

 

Hmm weird, admittedly I wasn't paying full attention but he didn't impress me at all.

 

I'm not keen on Jordan Mutch. I hope we can better than him.

 

Stuff Jordan much, we should be aiming higher than that!