Anthony Joseph has confirmed Celtic’s interest in Daniel Podence.
The Sky Sports reporter is well informed on Celtic transfer dealings but seems to be in the role of confirmer in this window after news breaks elsewhere.
Tom Collomosse of the Daily Mail was first to link the Wolves winger with Celtic, later on Joseph emphasised the likelihood of negotiations on the suggested fee of £12m.
As an attacking left winger Podence would tick a huge box for Celtic but it is hard to see the club going beyond £5/6m for someone turning 28 in October while trying to put together a salary package compared to his current Wolves deal.
Costing £17m from Olympiacos three years ago it is likely that Podence’s current salary is closer to £100,000 per week than £50,000 which probably goes a long way to explaining why Wolves want rid of him.
Celtic are keen on Wolves winger Daniel Podence.
He has one year left on his contract & wasn’t included in the squad last night.
Wolves want around £12m, but it’s understood Celtic see room for negotiation, if they make an approach.
(w/@DanyalHKhan)pic.twitter.com/zYQNOE6HN3
— Anthony Joseph (@AnthonyRJoseph) August 15, 2023
With two weeks to go in the window, Wolves currently value Daniel Podence – not in the squad last night and left out of the pre-season stint in Portugal – at £12m. Celtic among the clubs following the situation #wwfc
— Tom Collomosse (@TomCollomosse) August 15, 2023
Within a week of the EPL season starting Julen Lopetegu quit as Wolves manager after taking charge last November.
Wolves spent heavily during the January transfer window to avoid relegation but the need to stay within Financial Sustainability Rules has severely impacted on their summer plans.
Podence scored six times in the EPL last season from starting 20 matches and six appearances off the bench making him Wolves’ top EPL scorer alongside Ruben Neves.
Gary O’Neil moved in quickly to replace Lopetegu, earning praise for his side’s performance in the 1-0 defeat to Manchester United where they were denied a late penalty resulting in the demotion of two VAR officials.
Podence was left out of Wolves’ pre-season plans and was missing from the squad at Old Trafford on Monday night.
Whether he would be interested in a move to Celtic is unknown, by sitting tight he holds all the cards as his contract runs down with no necessity to get back playing again knowing that he shouldn’t be short of offers as a free agent in June.
