Forgotten Celtic payday sends £70m Parkhead bank balance soaring after loan transfer bonanza

Celtic will receive a significant financial boost when former striker Oh Hyeon-gyu completes his transfer to Besiktas. The South Korean international has agreed terms with the Istanbul club after Genk accepted a £13 million offer. The Scottish champions included a substantial sell-on clause when they transferred the player to Belgium 18 months ago for £3.5 million.

The club stands to gain approximately £2 million from this deal. This windfall represents a valuable return on their initial investment in the 24-year-old forward. Celtic will benefit further when the transfer is officially completed, as the Turkish window remains open until this week.

Oh had a remarkable opportunity to generate even greater returns for Celtic last window. Stuttgart agreed to pay £26 million for the striker, but the deal collapsed when medical examinations revealed knee concerns. The player disputed these findings, stating that knee problems were last an issue during his school years.

Besiktas have expressed no medical reservations about Oh’s fitness and have proceeded with confidence. During his time at Genk this season, the forward scored ten goals in 32 appearances. His spell at Celtic proved successful, yielding five trophies during his two-year tenure at the club.

Celtic’s financial position has strengthened considerably through strategic player movements. Recent estimates indicate approximately £70 million in available funds for the club. Additional revenue streams remain possible through existing clauses in contracts held by Matt O’Riley and Alexandro Bernabei.

The club adopted a loan-focused strategy during the January transfer window under manager Martin O’Neill. Six players arrived on temporary deals rather than permanent transfers. This approach allowed Celtic to strengthen their squad while preserving financial flexibility for future opportunities.