One of the many reported Celtic transfer targets, Will Ferry has opened talks with Anderlecht over a possible move to Belgium…
The 25 year old Dundee United left back is a sought after target, and besides Celtic being interested, the likes of Bundesliga side Schalke, and English Championship sides Charlton Athletic and Blackburn Rovers have also been sniffing around the Republic of Ireland international.
Will Ferry has one year left on current contract
Ferry had nine assists and four goals last season for Dundee United and has one year left on his current contract at Tannadice, so you can see why he is a player in demand and also why Dundee United would like to cash in at this stage on their biggest asset.
Anderlecht, who recently signed the Rangers flop Oliver Antman, now look to dip their toes in the Scottish market once again according to The Courier after opening talks with the Tannadice club who were held to a 1-1 draw in the season opener on Friday evening against the latest Ibrox club.
Czech side Sigma Olomouc had £1.7m bid accepted by the Tannadice club
The former Cheltenham Town left-back who is clearly a talent, as he showed in that draw with the Rangers, turned down a move to Czech side Sigma Olomouc last month, reportedly worth up to £1.7m including add-ons, however the player decided this wasn’t the right move for him.
“We accepted a considerable offer for him,” Jim Goodwin
Speaking ahead of the match on Friday evening, Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin praised his Irish defender. Goodwin told Sky Sports: “Will Ferry is still a Dundee United player, it’s as simple as that. It’s been well-documented that a few weeks ago, we accepted a considerable offer for him.
“Will and his representatives mulled it over and decided that wasn’t an opportunity that they wanted to pursue. As a manager I’m absolutely delighted because he’s been one of our best players over the last couple of seasons and we’re delighted to have him here.”
It now looks as if Tannadice boss could well be losing his star player, meaning that Celtic will have to look elsewhere for a back up option to Kieran Tierney.
Martin O’Neill has multiple options but a deal has to be done
The likes of James Penrice has been linked, and a return for Greg Taylor has also been mooted, but nothing has been forthcoming thus far. Martin O’Neill also teased the Celtic support by suggesting that Marcelo Saracchi’s move to Houston had fallen through so he too was still an option.
Will Ferry would have been a decent choice, but it now looks as if Anderlecht are in pole position for his signature unless their interest quickly brings Celtic to the table.
No lowballing necessary on Ferry deal- the price is known
The price that Dundee United would accept is known so there can be no lowballing or bargain hunting. It is also worth point out Saracchi would be cheaper and unlike Greg Taylor, neither Ferry nor Saracchi do anything to help regarding the homegrown quota required by UEFA.
It seems that both Saracchi and Taylor would be prepared as far as we can tell, to play the back-up role to Kieran Tierney but would Will Ferry?
That is not known and presumably would be a factor in his decision. Ferry rejected the opportunity to join Sigma Olomouc and he may also do the same should Celtic come calling if he wants to be the first pick left-back at his next club.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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