Jump directly to the content
Exclusive
WANTED MAN

David Turnbull’s transfer to Celtic on brink of collapse with Sheffield Wednesday ready to hijack move

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY are poised to hijack Celtic’s move for David Turnbull.

SunSport can reveal the Owls will meet Motherwell’s £3million asking price for the highly-rated midfielder.

 Turnbull is a wanted man
2
Turnbull is a wanted manCredit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow

The Hoops had a £3m bid accepted by Well on Wednesday and had hoped to confirm Turnbull as Neil Lennon’s first signing of the summer on Friday.

But after failing to agree personal terms with the talented teenager, the entire deal is on the brink of collapse.

That has put a host of English clubs including Bristol City and Southampton back on red alert.

Barnsley have already failed with a bid and last night it emerged Championship rivals Wednesday are now ready to swoop.

 Neil Lennon could miss out on the Well kid
2
Neil Lennon could miss out on the Well kidCredit: Les Gallagher - The Sun Glasgow

It’s understood the Owls had Turnbull watched several times last season, but feared their chance to sign him this summer had come and gone.

And while the door on a move to Celtic has not been completely closed, it’s clear that there will need to be a significant shift from the Parkhead club to get the deal over the line.

Celts insists though they won’t be held to ransom — maintaining they have made the player a “magnificent” offer.

They have warned the Well starlet to take it or leave it.

A statement read: “Celtic was pleased to agree a record-breaking fee with Motherwell and we have quickly followed this up with a fantastic offer to the player through his agent.

“Currently, we have been unable to come to an agreement with the player’s agent.

“Celtic is content that it has made a magnificent offer and it is now up to the agent and player to decide if the player wants to join Celtic. If not, we move on.”

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell is believed to be surprised that a deal has not been concluded.

It’s believed the club tabled a five-figure weekly wage offer — more than Virgil van Dijk, right, and Victor Wanyama started on at Parkhead.

Sources close to the deal claim Turnbull’s representatives are asking for close to £20,000 a week.

That figure is more than many of Neil Lennon’s treble Treble winners earn and the Premiership champions have made it clear they won’t break their wage structure.

A source close to the player told SunSport the initial offer from Celts was nowhere near acceptable to the teenager.


TOUGH LOVE John Collins claims Callum McGregor hasn’t always been loved by Celtic fans


As a result, it’s understood the player is keeping all his options open.

It’s thought one of the key considerations for Turnbull and his advisors was regular first-team football.

Well bosses previously revealed that more than 15 CLUBS had watched Scotland’s Young Player of the Year during the closing weeks of the season.

Turnbull hit 15 goals for the Steelmen in his debut season and also won his first caps for Scotland’s Under-21 team.

The 19-year-old’s brilliant campaign was recognised last month when he collected the SFWA Young Player of the Year award at a glittering dinner in Glasgow.


Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers from Scottish football plus fixtures, results and live match commentary 


Tommy Robinson handed Celtic shirt by James English after pair film podcast
Topics