Brendan Rodgers has shared insights into a past attempt by Celtic to secure the services of Declan Rice from West Ham, revealing that the deal was in motion before unforeseen circumstances led to its collapse.

Speaking on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard about the intricacies of the transfer market, the current Hoops manager acknowledged that Celtic had dedicated a significant period—three months—to pursue the signing of the then 24-year-old during his initial tenure at Parkhead. However, an injury setback within the West Ham squad elevated Rice’s stature, scuttling the proposed transfer. Subsequently, the talented midfielder not only secured a pivotal role within the East London club but also went on to captain the team before eventually making a high-profile move to Arsenal for a staggering £105 million last summer.

Rodgers highlighted the complexities inherent in football deals, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of player movements and the potential impediments that can abruptly derail long-nurtured agreements. Reflecting on the missed opportunity, Rodgers remarked, “Deals can be complicated and things can fall away that might have been there for three or four months, that’s the challenge.” He further elaborated, “It only takes one injury from a player that’s lined up to come in. I remember when I was here the first time, we spent three months looking for Declan Rice to come in. Declan was all set to come in, and all of a sudden they had an injury and he stayed, got in the team, and the rest is history. That’s not the club’s fault, that’s just the way it goes.”

The manager also reflected on the potential impact Rice’s move to Celtic might have had, contemplating the alternate path his career could have taken and the subsequent ripple effects for both clubs. Given Rice’s integral role in West Ham’s recent successes, Rodgers articulated an underlying acknowledgment of the transformative impact such unforeseen turns of events can have on the trajectory of a player’s career.

Ultimately, the unintended outcome sheds light on the unpredictability of football transfers and the pivotal role that chance and timing play in shaping the destinies of both clubs and players. While Celtic’s pursuit of Rice ultimately faltered, the narrative underscores the delicate balance between opportunity, timing, and the unrelenting uncertainty that characterizes the football transfer landscape.