Celtic are looking to boost their finances through several sell-on fees and player sales, despite a recent financial loss and fan unrest. The club's annual accounts show a loss of just short of £5 million and a 22.7 per cent drop in revenue after failing to qualify for the Champions League in consecutive campaigns.
Financial pressures and on-pitch struggles
The Glasgow giants sit top of the Scottish Premiership, but the accounts have left supporters restless, with anger directed at the board ahead of the club's AGM next month. On the pitch, Martin O'Neill's side have lost all three Europa League games and were knocked out of the Premier Sports Cup by Rangers in the quarter-final.
Despite these setbacks, the club can look to several potential paydays already in the pipeline. Jeremie Frimpong earned Celtic a sell-on fee after his move from Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool, and Matt O'Riley could be the next to bank a significant sum.
O'Riley and Bernabei sell-on potential
Celtic agreed a 10 per cent sell-on clause on any profit Brighton make from the £25 million deal that took O'Riley to England in August 2024. The Denmark international spent the first half of last season on loan at Marseille, contributing two goals and five assists, but Brighton cut the loan short to give him Premier League minutes. Reports suggest a £30 million asking price has been placed on the 25-year-old, with Juventus and Everton interested.
Alexandro Bernabei could also bring in a fee if he leaves Internacional. After his £4 million move to the Brazilian side in 2025, Sevilla are said to have shown interest, with Celtic set to bank a sell-on fee if a deal materialises.
Young prospects and loan players
Celtic are monitoring Mitchel Frame's progress at Aberdeen, holding a reportedly "significant sell-on clause" in the 20-year-old's deal after his six-figure fee move in 2025. However, he has yet to make a first-team appearance this term.
Paulo Bernardo has impressed on loan at Gornik Zabrze in Poland, with reports suggesting a £3 million permanent fee has been set. The 24-year-old said: "The only frustrating thing for me here is that I have not managed to score yet. I have to keep working, trying, creating chances and running into spaces where I can shoot. I hope this will pay off soon and I can score my first goal for the club." On a permanent move, he added: "I am very happy to be here and I know I can continue to develop in it."
Other loanees and future prospects
Michel-Ange Balikwisha, on loan at Gent, has encouraged the Belgian side to trigger their option to buy, saying: "If Gent exercises the option, they can immediately resell me for £15-20 million. Everyone would be happy. We are commodities and I have no problem accepting that, as long as our work is rewarded."
Odin Thiago Holm, back on loan at Valerenga after surgery for compartment syndrome, has opened the door to a permanent return to Norway. Shin Yamada, on loan at OH Leuven, has yet to score and has not appeared since September 12, making a lucrative payday less likely for the Hoops.
