Brendan Rodgers plots huge Celtic transfer raid to lure key star to Saudi Arabia as he prepares for shock new reality
Former Hoops manager is eyeing a stunning reunion with his long-serving Parkhead skipper in the Middle East
Brendan Rodgers is reportedly planning an outrageous transfer bid to lure Celtic skipper Callum McGregor to Saudi Arabia after instructing his new club’s CEO James Bisgrove to prepare a ‘huge financial package’.
The former Hoops boss sat down for his first press conference in the Middle East since taking the job at cash-rich Al-Qadsiah earlier this week and there was little mention of recent spell and controversial Parkhead exit, which ended after a fallout with the club’s hierarchy.
Rodgers’ fractured relationship with supremo Dermot Desmond in particular could be about to get even worse with the Scottish Sun reporting that he wants to launch an ambitious effort to sign McGregor for his new club.
It's claimed the Northern Irishman - who has immediately recruited long-serving Parkhead No.2 John Kennedy as his right-hand man again - is personally pushing for the long-serving captain to be one of his first signings in the Gulf nation.
It would be the second time Rodgers has tried to lure the vastly experienced 32-year-old away from the Glasgow giants having previously made an attempt to bring him to Leicester City in 2019. It's added that Celtic are ready to fight to keep him even if the player was to receive a life-changing offer from Al Qadsiah.
Any official bid for McGregor would see Rodgers rock the boat even further, especially with the Celtic fanbase who would be devastated to lose one of their most influential leaders at a time when they're struggling and on a four-match losing run under new boss Wilfried Nancy.
McGregor still has two-and-a-half years to run on his current deal and isn't thought to be in any hurry to leave. It remains to be seen if the chance to reunite with Rodgers, and an hefty amount of money, would tempt the former Scotland international to change his decision.
Rodgers would have to reshuffle his squad to make room for McGregor’s arrival, with the club already having a full quota of 10 foreign players on their books meaning one would have to be de-registered or be sold.
Brendan Rodgers in for shock new reality in Middle East
Rodgers will experience a major culture shock when he takes charge of his new club, who have an average home attendance of just over 5,000 fans rather than the usual sold-out 60,000 crowds he walked out to in Glasgow’s east end every other week.
Rodgers will have to adapt to his new surroundings and more modest attendances in the Gulf nation, with Al Qadsiah only the eighth-best supported club in the 18-team top-flight and playing their home games at their 22,000-seater Prince Saud bin Jalawi Sports City in Khobar.
He will take charge of his first game two days after Christmas when his side face strugglers Damac FC who currently occupy one of the relegation places in the Saudi Pro League.