This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
Celtic are reportedly set to offer Callum McGregor a new contract to fend off “interest from Europe’s elite clubs”, per Football Insider.
What’s the story?
According to Football Insider, the Hoops want to make the midfielder one of the highest earners at the club after he has attracted interest from the Premier League and Europe.
The report claims a club source expects the 26 year-old to be offered new terms worth £35,000-a-week in an effort to award his fantastic consistency.
McGregor played the most minutes of any player in world football for club and country in 2018/19 and was heavily linked with Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester this summer.
Is it enough?
It’s about time. A new deal for McGregor is richly deserved, after the Scotland international featured in a whopping 59 games for the Hoops last season.
However, one has to question if this is enough.
He racked up six goals and sixteen assists, and delving deeper into the numbers reveals just how effective he is in his natural position.
Of those 59 games, 21 were played in central midfield, while 15 came in a more advanced role, three came deeper in midfield and there were quite a few showings from both flanks as well, with one appearance at left-back.
In the 21 appearances as an out-and-out central midfielder, he scored twice and assisted nine times, meaning he directly contributes to more than a goal every two games, a superb rate for a box-to-box midfielder.
So, while his durability and versatility are of course some of his biggest assets, how long is he going to accept being thrown all over the pitch when he is so good in his actual position?
If ever a player deserved a new contract and pay rise, it’s ‘CalMac’, but with the report claiming “elite clubs” are circling, the Hoops may have to up the price even more, or at least guarantee the fan favourite that he will play in his natural role nine times out of ten.
The man who topped the worldwide list in minutes played last season should not be “one of” the highest earners at Parkhead, he should be the highest earner. £35,000-a-week may not be enough to stave off the interest from elsewhere.
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