Exclusive: Club respond to Celtic 7-figure defender offer, player wants move
Celtic have offered Brighton a seven-figure loan fee for Shane Duffy that has been knocked back, Football Insider can reveal.
The Scottish champions have held extensive talks this week in a bid to prise the centre-back, 28, from the Premier League outfit on a season-long loan.
Sources at both clubs have told Football Insider that Brighton are holding out for a £2million-plus loan fee for Duffy.
But the Hoops have said they are only willing to pay around £1m and talks are currently at a stalemate.
Duffy would prefer to join Celtic ahead of his other principal suitors, West Ham and West Brom.
But Neil Lennon's side must not only agree the loan fee but also pay a significant portion of his wages, which are more than any player at the Glasgow giants earns.
The stalled deal will only add to the frustration of the northern Irishman, who had been hopeful a deal would have been finalised by now.
As revealed by Football Insider, Hoops chiefs met with their counterparts from Brighton for fresh talks on Monday about loaning the Republic of Ireland international.
The Premier League outfit have given the green light for the Republic of Ireland international to temporarily leave as they have a wealth of options at centre-back.
Skipper Lewis Dunk signed a new five-year contract last week and Ben White is also close to penning a new deal to end Leeds United's hopes of re-signing him.
Duffy has been told he can find a loan club for the upcoming campaign.