Just days before the winter market opened, Het Laatste Nieuws reported that Celtic were interested in signing Timothy Castagne and willing to pay a transfer fee of €6.7m to secure his services.
At that time, the right-back had started in only six league games and reports then claimed the Serie A outfit demands were deemed too expensive for the Bhoys and they ended their interest in the Belgium international.
On March 9th, we covered the defender’s interview with DH where he explained a transfer in the mid-season would have been a failure for him.
Castagne has now sat down for a lengthy interview with Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws and was asked ‘How concrete was Celtic last winter [transfer window]?’
He said, “Concrete. Atalanta suddenly asked for more money. €12m to €15m for a player who had not played ten games at the time… That’s a lot of money.”
The fullback’s contract with his current employer expires in 2020, with an option for a further year, but he’s now set his sights on making a switch to the Premier League… which isn’t great news for Celtic interest.
“A lot of teams have already informed, yes. We’ll see. First finish the season well and then study everything carefully. From the manager to the board. Whether it’s a stable club and who’s playing your position. Is everything right? Then you have to dare to take the step,” Castagne explained.
“The Premier League remains my dream competition, but it all depends on which teams want me – I would rather have a top club in Italy than a bottom team from England…”
When asked how much he would cost in the summer, the player stressed. “I think (Laugh) because of those goals and my matches for Belgium, Atalanta wants around €20m. I try not to think too much about it, but it also makes me proud.”
Celtic’s chances look doomed.
