Martin O'Neill has been handed a £50 million transfer kitty verdict by Chris Sutton, who believes the Celtic boss needs a massive war chest for a summer rebuild. The Scottish champions have offloaded around a dozen players but are yet to spend a penny on new signings.
O'Neill's Summer Overhaul
Celtic powerbroker Dermot Desmond has vowed to back newly-appointed manager O'Neill with a bumper budget as the club undergoes a major squad overhaul. The Hoops could also generate significant funds from player sales, with Arne Engels, Daizen Maeda, and Benjamin Nygren all tipped for big-money exits.
Engels is valued at £25 million, while Maeda and Nygren are also expected to attract offers. Nygren scored 21 goals last season, making him a key asset.
Sutton's Verdict
Record Sport columnist Chris Sutton insists Celtic must splash the cash on quality replacements, especially with a £40 million Champions League windfall at stake. He told Sky Sports News: "It is a different challenge. Martin worked wonders last season, but there needs to be a lot of change at Celtic in terms of recruitment."
Sutton added: "It'll be interesting to see who goes out. It looks like Reo Hatate will go, possibly Daizen Maeda, Arne Engels... they're big players. So, who are Celtic going to replace them with? I think Celtic are possibly going to have to spend up to or more than £50 million because the squad does need a rebuild."
Champions League Stakes
The Hoops face a crucial Champions League qualifier, with a winner-takes-all £40 million prize at the end of August. Sutton believes O'Neill must be backed with a record-breaking budget to stave off the threat of Rangers and Hearts.
Celtic legend Sutton also highlighted the team's inconsistent form last season, despite their title triumph. He stressed the importance of recruiting wisely to maintain momentum.
