French striker Fortune has a difficult decision to make but Celtic manager Tony Mowbray understand's his dilemma. "He has some very good offers," said the Celtic boss. "I sit here hopeful but realistic. If he goes elsewhere, I would say good luck to him. He is a good man. I wouldn't sit here next week and say he was a money-grabber because he is a good man."
"I'll either be sitting watching him shaking someone's hand and holding a shirt up somewhere at an English Premier League club, or you will all come back here in a few days' time and meet the guy yourself. So let's wait and see."
"He came into the game at 21." continued Mowbray. "He played in the Dutch leagues, earning very little money and it has only been recently he has earned better money. If he thinks he is at a stage of his career where he needs to secure or better his future or then so be it"
Mowbray has spoken to his former WBA loan player and made what he considers to be Celtic's best offer and he knows Fortune is seriously contemplating that offer despite the lure of higher wages and the prestige of the EPL. "I think the boy is a bit torn at the moment," said the Celtic manager. "I have spoken to him a couple of times and his first choice would be to come here and play. He is very aware of the Celtic history and tradition. I would also like to say he quite likes the coach but he has more than a couple of Premier league clubs chasing him now."
"He is caught in that eternal battle of a footballing or a financial decision." said Mogga. "I think it if was just down to football, then we'd win it. Whatever he decides he will decide. I will not judge him because I would never judge anyone as it is a very big decision in life. I have spoken to him and told him what we're all about, the team and how I see him fitting in and opportunities he will have. If he does comes here then he would be forfeiting a lot of money. He would be giving up better options financially to come to Celtic."
Mowbray is hoping that Fortune will be the first of at least four new players he'll have in place for the new season but he realises he won't be able to compete financially for these players with any interested EPL club. "I came here with my eyes wide open." he said. "I have just come from a Premiership team that potentially could pay more money than this club. There is a substantial gap to what we can offer. We have money but I have tried to keep to the philosophy of superstar footballers getting three times as much as anybody else."