Everton Withdraw from Alistair Johnston Pursuit as Celtic Demand High Fee

Everton’s move for Alistair Johnston has stalled, with the Premier League club backing away after failing to match Celtic’s valuation of the Canada defender.

Martin O’Neill revealed earlier this summer that David Moyes had personally phoned him to register Everton’s interest and pave the way for a formal offer. The call underlined how serious the Merseyside club were about the 25-year-old, who has impressed with his consistency and edge on the right side of Celtic’s back line.

The talks never reached the decisive stage. According to The Daily Record, Everton have now turned their attention elsewhere after refusing to go to the number Celtic wanted. The Scottish champions were understood to be looking for more than £15m for Johnston and were in no rush to sell, especially before their Champions League play-off against LASK.

Celtic’s stance was clear: keep a key defender through a pivotal European tie, or only consider parting with him for a premium fee. Everton, working within tighter parameters, stepped back.

The attraction for the player is obvious. A regular in the Canada national side, Johnston is thought to be open to a Premier League move, and Everton were fully aware of that. The opportunity to test himself in England’s top flight, under a manager of Moyes’ stature, would turn most heads.

O’Neill, speaking about his conversations with Johnston regarding the interest from Goodison Park, captured that tension.

“I've spoken to him on the back of the interest,” he said. “Again, it was one of those where Alistair is perfectly happy here at the football club.

“But like anything else, your head can get turned very quickly, particularly if it's a really good club.

“He wouldn't leave here for a second-class Premier League club, if there is such a thing, but if a big, big club comes in, it's something you would have to look at.

“And I think it's only natural as well. If I were a player, I'd be exactly the same.”

For now, Celtic hold the cards and the player remains central to their plans. Everton, needing defensive reinforcements, are now reportedly assessing Strasbourg defender Guela Doue as an alternative after struggling to find common ground with the Glasgow club.

The door on Johnston to the Premier League has not been slammed shut. It has simply stayed on the latch, waiting to see if a “big, big club” decides to push it open.