Celtic transfer news: Alistair Johnston headed to Celtic? – Montréal star most valuable defender in MLS
·4 min read
Deal nearing completion
Celtic FC are in advanced talks to sign Canadian men’s national team star Alistair Johnston from CF Montréal. Multiple sources with direct knowledge of the situation have told Transfermarkt that a deal is now closing in for the €6 million valued right-back who could also play at center-back. Johnston is currently with the Canadian team in Qatar and was a standout in his nation’s defeat to Belgium (0-1) on Wednesday.
Johnston has recently been linked with a move to Italian side Bologna, a club also owned by the Saputo family, who owns the Major League Soccer club in Montréal. But Celtic are now leading the race, and a deal between the player and the MLS club has already been formally agreed upon. A move to Scotland is straightforward for Johnston as he holds a UK passport on top of his Irish and Canadian citizenship.
Multiple sources! Alistair Johnston is closing in on a move to Scottish giants #CelticFC. A deal is now advanced. The #CanMNT star also has a UK passport. He is under contract at #CFMTL until 2023 with 2 option years. He is currently starring at the World Cup. pic.twitter.com/nLtQTrxYbY
Celtic, in the meantime, have secured one of the top defenders in MLS. Johnston can play both right-back and center-back, and with a market value of €6 million, he is the joint most valuable defender in MLS with LA Galaxy’s Julián Araujo (overview).
With Alistair Johnston – The most valuable MLS players
Johnston to Celtic – Montréal defender has seen market value rise
Johnston’s rise in recent years, in fact, has been phenomenal. Drafted out of college by Nashville SC in 2020, Johnston was traded to Montréal for around €900,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) ahead of the 2022 season. At Montréal, Johnston has managed four goals and four assists in 39 games across all competitions in 2022.
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