Celtic Looked at Signing £152m Star in the Making, Bayo Arrived Instead
Celtic’s recruitment history is filled with tales of near-misses and what-ifs, but one that stands out is their interest in a player who has since blossomed into a £152m star. At the time, Celtic were exploring various options to bolster their attack, but ultimately, they opted for a less heralded name: Vakoun Issouf Bayo.
The player in question, now valued at a staggering £152m, was a raw but promising talent during the period Celtic scouted him. Reports suggest that the club had identified this forward as a potential game-changer, someone who could lead their attack for years to come. With impressive performances for his club and on the international stage, it wasn’t long before Europe’s elite began circling.
Fast forward a few years, and this forward has established himself as one of the most sought-after players in world football, regularly linked with mega-clubs across the continent. His dynamic pace, eye for goal, and versatility have made him a key player for his club, and his market value reflects just how far he has come since Celtic’s initial interest.
Instead of pulling the trigger on the future superstar, Celtic turned their attention to Vakoun Bayo, a relatively unknown Ivorian forward plying his trade in Slovakia. In January 2019, the Hoops signed Bayo for a fee reported to be around £2 million from Dunajská Streda, hoping he could develop into a goal-scoring presence at Parkhead.
However, Bayo’s time at Celtic didn’t go as planned. Injuries and limited opportunities saw him struggle to make an impact in the first team. Despite showing flashes of promise, including a couple of goals in domestic competitions, Bayo was unable to establish himself as a regular starter under both Brendan Rodgers and Neil Lennon. After just two seasons, Bayo was loaned out to Toulouse before being sold permanently.
The decision to sign Bayo over the £152m star has sparked plenty of debate among Celtic fans. Hindsight, of course, is always 20/20, but it’s hard not to wonder how differently things might have turned out had Celtic secured the services of the now world-class forward. His explosive rise through the ranks would likely have made him a standout at Celtic, offering them a long-term solution to their attacking needs.
It’s no secret that scouting is often a game of hit or miss, and for every success story, there are several ‘what ifs.’ In this case, the missed opportunity highlights the challenges faced by clubs like Celtic, who must balance their budget with ambition, often gambling on developing talent rather than securing ready-made stars.
As for Bayo, his career has taken a different path. After leaving Celtic, he found more success in Ligue 2 with Toulouse and eventually moved to Watford in the English Championship. Though he may not have reached the heights initially hoped for at Celtic, Bayo continues to develop as a forward in a competitive European league.
While Celtic may rue missing out on a £152m superstar, they aren’t alone in these near-misses, especially when competing with Europe’s financial powerhouses. The story of Bayo’s arrival is a reminder of the fine margins in football recruitment – and how even a club with a strong scouting network can sometimes see their decisions go a different way.
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