Chris Sutton believes Celtic may make £14 million from the transfer of Cameron Carter-Vickers if the former Tottenham Hotspur defender returns to the Premier League this season.
The Scottish champions rarely make acquisitions worth £5 million or more. So, when they paid £6 million to sign Cameron Carter-Vickers in the summer of 2022, they were clearly sure that the America international would provide exceptional value for money while also having significant resale potential.
Of course, Carter-Vickers’ outstanding loan stay at Celtic during the 2021/22 season helped to mitigate the dangers, with the former Tottenham Hotspur youth earning a permanent contract at Parkhead for his solid displays.
And Sutton, the legendary former Celtic striker, believes that reports linking Carter-Vickers with a return to English football justify the club’s sign(relatively) low and sell high policy, with the London-born 26-year-old set to earn The Hoops a massive profit if he leaves, as Odsonne Edouard and Jota did.
Former Tottenham player could be returning to England.
“I can understand why fans would like to see just a little more spent on more proven quality to almost guarantee the win-win scenario,” Sutton was quoted as saying by the Daily Record.
“The club had no problem paying £9 million for Odsonne Edouard because they knew, barring a calamity, they would not lose money. They eventually doubled their money when Crystal Palace appeared on the scene.
“Celtic had to spend £6 million to sign Jota.” When the Saudis came calling, paying just a little more netted them £25 million.
Interestingly, Edouard, Jota, and Carter-Vickers all spent time on loan at Celtic before obtaining full-time contracts. This ‘try before you buy’ strategy, then, may be something the Glasgow giants should consider.
Celtic paid £6 million for Cameron Carter-Vickers.
Carter-Vickers cost the same £6 million as Jota when he joined at Parkhead that summer. If the English do come knocking in the summer, I would estimate another £20 million,” Sutton adds.
“That’s exactly what the supporters want to see. Chunky investments provide even more rewards. I’m very certain Carter-Vickers and (Matt) O’Riley will stay until at least summer. But they’ll leave one day. And their exorbitant transfer costs will only strengthen the notion of ‘pay higher, sell higher’.
“Fans just want ready-made players who can go straight into the side and make it better.”
Carter-Vickers, who spent more than a decade at Tottenham, has been connected with West Ham and Nottingham Forest (Daily Record).
Meanwhile, HITC Football reports that O’Riley is well-liked across Europe, notably at his old club Fulham.
