Hibs boss in 'assets' admission as Celtic target Miguel Chaiwa £4 million-plus 'value' asking price addressed
Zambian international consistently cited as top target for Scottish champions
Hibs boss David Gray insists the club will only sell “assets” when buying teams meet the asking price, as fresh reports surface linking Miguel Chaiwa with a £4 million-plus move to Celtic.
Gray is currently focused on trying to get his team into the UEFA Conference League play-offs, with Hibs taking on KF Shkendija in Skopje tomorrow night. The Easter Road club go into the second leg of their tie with a 2-1 lead from last week’s game in Edinburgh.
European clubs chasing 22-year-old
Asked about reports suggesting Hibs had set a minimum asking price on 22-year-old Zambian international midfielder Chaiwa, who is being pursued by a number of European clubs as well as the Scottish champions, Gray – speaking after tonight’s training session at the National Arena Todor Proeski – said: “I haven't, no, and I spent the whole afternoon with the hierarchy on the plane on the way over. So I've never heard anything about that.
“Clearly my focus is fully on the events. As soon as that whistle went at Ibrox, you enjoy it for 10 minutes, 15 minutes. And the relief kicks in and then it's straight onto watching back leg one, preparing the players, getting them recovered as quick as we can for Thursday night. That's all my focus has been on and understandably so.
“So all the conversations I've had at this moment in time have been with the players that are in the building and available to be used. “
The Evening News understands that Hibs are fully aware of Celtic’s interest. The Easter Road hierarchy have made it very clear that they will be seeking a maximum return for any of their top talent, with the January sale of Kieron Bowie in a deal worth up to £7 million already boosting coffers.
Gray, who fielded questions about reported Serie A interest in Josh Mulligan in the wake of Sunday’s historic 2-1 win over Rangers at Ibrox, was pressed on whether he needed to speak to individual players as the summer transfer window generates more speculation, reports and concrete interest.
“I think the speaking to players happens every day, anyway,” he said. “And you mentioned Josh Mulligan there.
“While that window is open, if players are playing well, and some are what would be deemed assets in the squad, you have to be ready for that. We’re not naïve.
“Young players who are performing well, playing at a very high level on the biggest stage in Europe, it certainly adds to that.
“But every single player has got a value. And until that is met, or the club decide it’s right for everybody involved, then the players are fully focused on playing.”