Everton's deal to sign Alistair Johnston hits a brick wall | OneFootball

Everton’s summer search for a long-term successor to Seamus Coleman at right-back hit a snag this week following reports that negotiations with Celtic for Canadian international Alistair Johnston have stalled, leaving the transfer on the verge of collapse.  

David Moyes was reported to have personally contacted Celtic manager Martin O’Neill to express Everton's intent to sign the 27-year-old full-back. Johnston apparently signaled his desire to make the move to the Premier League. However, negotiations between the two clubs have encountered a major problem in terms of valuation:  Celtic are holding firm for a fee in excess of £15M.

Everton's initial approach structured a package around £12M up front plus add-ons, which Parkhead chiefs rejected, and it appears in true TFG negotiating style, the Everton contingent have turned on their heels and walked away.

Celtic face a crucial Uefa Champions League play-off tie against Austrian side LASK in late August. Martin O'Neill and the Celtic hierarchy are extremely reluctant to part with key starters before securing group-stage football and the substantial financial windfall that comes with it.

With Celtic refusing to budge on price or timing, Everton representatives have started exploring contingency options rather than being held to ransom. Guéla Doué (Strasbourg) and Ridle Baku (RB Leipzig) have both emerged as primary alternatives being monitored by Everton's elite recruitment team.

Sources suggest Everton's interest in Johnston was genuine — Moyes's direct manager-to-manager call confirms that Everton viewed the Canadian right-back as a concrete option. However, unless Celtic lower their demands late in the window or Everton decide to meet the £15M price tag after selling fringe players, Moyes and the recruitment team will likely shift focus to Doué or Baku in the coming days.

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