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Everton Pursue Celtic Right‑Back Alistair Johnston as Fee Talks Continue

Johnston’s reported wish to move to the Premier League puts pressure on Celtic to either meet a transfer valuation or keep him for Champions League qualifiers.

Overview

  • David Moyes personally contacted Celtic manager Martin O’Neill last week to register Everton’s interest in Alistair Johnston, according to club comments and multiple reports.
  • Sources say Johnston has told Celtic he wants a Premier League move and has indicated a preference for Everton over other suitors.
  • Celtic are standing on a roughly £14–15 million valuation while Everton have offered about £12 million up front with add-ons, and negotiations remain ongoing with no deal completed.
  • Celtic want Johnston available for their Champions League play-off ties on August 18/25 but accept a sale if their price is met or a suitable replacement is secured.
  • Johnston is 27, under contract until 2029, moved to Celtic in January 2023 for about £3.5m, missed large parts of 2025/26 with hamstring problems and then boosted his market profile by playing every minute for Canada at the 2026 World Cup, prompting Celtic to scout potential replacements.