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Sacha Kljestan will not be heading to Celtic, at least not yet, and a winter transfer move is looking unlikely.
Kljestan's potential January move to the Scottish champions has been scrapped after Celtic decided that it could not afford the asking price for the U.S. national team midfielder, a package worth up to $3.5 million along with a sell-on clause, sources with knowledge of the negotiations told SBI on Friday.
The looming European transfer deadline is also making a move elsewhere in Europe unlikely for Kljestan despite interest from a handful of other clubs.
Kljestan is coming off a hat-trick performance in the U.S. team's 3-2 win vs. Sweden last weekend and now appears to be more likely for a summer departure from Chivas USA. Celtic is still interested in potentially bringing Kljestan in the summer, but the price could be even higher, as well as the number of interested clubs.
Kljestan's opportunities in Europe could grow come the summer, especially if he continues to earn starts for the U.S. national team. If he stays on his current pace, Kljestan could qualify for a UK work permit by the summer. He heads into the 2009 season with two years left on his current contract.
What do you think of the news? Disappointed that he isn't going to Celtic. Surprised that he is probably going to return to Chivas for at least the start of the 2009 season? Anxious to see what he can do against Mexico?
Share your thoughts below.