24th January 2024 Craven Cottage, Fulham, London, England Carabao Cup Football Semi Final, Second Leg, Fulham versus Liverpool Liverpool Manager Jurgen Klopp celebrates with Bobby Clark after Liverpool win 3-2 on aggregate PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK ActionPlus12601556 ShaunxBrooks
Celtic legend Frank McAvennie has revealed he heard whispers that the club’s board will hand Martin O’Neill a £40 million transfer budget upon his return.
O’Neill, the 74-year-old Parkhead icon, has held talks with Dermot Desmond about becoming permanent Celtic boss for a second time by signing a one-year contract.
Robbie Keane remains the other contender for the position, and the club has yet to formally announce the appointment of either candidate.
McAvennie, speaking on his “Let Me Be Frank” podcast, said: “I heard £40million [for how much he is going to have to spend].”
He added: “I think there is a lot of players they need to get rid of. I know you are going to be losing money on some of them, but even if you get them out and get the wages.”
McAvennie named several players he expects to leave the club this summer, pointing to a significant squad overhaul under the incoming manager.
He said: “I think the boy [Michel-Ange] Balikwisha has got to leave, because I don’t think he is going to get a game. Maybe this boy Balikwisha will leave Celtic and be outstanding.”
McAvennie also said: “I think [Arne] Engels will stay, I think [Benjamin] Nygren will go, [Daizen] Maeda will go and [Reo] Hatate will go. That’s my opinion.”
As the club plans its summer rebuild, Celtic have been placed on alert over RB Salzburg midfielder Bobby Clark following his loan spell at Derby County.
Salzburg are expected to sanction a cut-price departure for the 21-year-old former Liverpool starlet, with reports in Austria claiming Clark has “sparked interest” from new sporting director Marcus Mann.
Mann is keen to reduce the club’s wage bill and views Clark’s permanent departure as a means of trimming expenses ahead of the summer transfer window.
However, O’Neill faces a significant fight to land the player as one of his first signings at the helm of the Glasgow club.
The Derby Telegraph reports that “at least half-a-dozen clubs” are “keen” on the playmaker, underlining the level of competition Celtic will face.
Clark is under contract with Salzburg for another three seasons, and West Ham have now entered the race for his signature following their Premier League relegation.
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