Journalist Anthony Joseph has questioned whether Celtic could have secured Adam Idah for significantly less than the fee eventually paid to Norwich City.

There was no option to buy included in that loan agreement.

Celtic then returned for the striker permanently in the summer, with an opening offer in the region of £4million to £5million rejected by Norwich.

A deal was eventually agreed worth up to £9.5million, consisting of an initial £8.5million with a further £1million in potential add-ons.

Speaking on Celtic Fans TV, Joseph has now argued that Celtic could potentially have avoided paying that amount had a purchase option been negotiated when Idah first moved to Glasgow.

He said: “Critics would say that that should never have gone to £9.5 million had there been preparation and not desperation six months before that when they brought Adam Idah in on loan and all they needed to do was put an option to buy for £5 million.”

There was, however, confirmed interest from Serie A side Hellas Verona before Idah joined Celtic, with the Italian club exploring a loan move which could potentially have led to a permanent transfer.

Joseph added: “So that price was driven up because they knew Celtic’s desperation.”

Idah scored nine times in 19 appearances during his initial loan, including the late winner against Rangers in the Scottish Cup final.

By the time Celtic returned to the negotiating table that summer, his value and importance to Brendan Rodgers’ side had changed considerably.

Joseph’s argument is that Celtic could have protected themselves against that rise by agreeing a purchase option from the outset, rather than having to start fresh negotiations with Norwich following Idah’s successful six months in Glasgow.