---
title: "Reporter alleges Ryan Christie would only join Southampton because of hike in wages"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/reporter-alleges-ryan-christie-would-only-join-southampton-because-of-hike-in-wages/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Danny Rust"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2021-08-26T18:55:40Z"
modified: "2021-08-26T18:55:40Z"
---

# Reporter alleges Ryan Christie would only join Southampton because of hike in wages

**[The Celtic Way](https://www.celticway.co.uk/) reporter Anthony Haggerty has claimed Ryan Christie would only join Southampton if his decision is financially driven.**

Christie’s Celtic contract expires at the end of the year and Saints are hoping to [take advantage](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/7588040/southampton-celtic-news-ryan-christie-burnley/) by either plucking him from the Scottish Premiership giants for free in January or paying a cut-price fee before the window closes next week.

Uncertainty over Christie’s future has not had an effect on the winger’s performances, with him [scoring](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ryan-christie/leistungsdaten/spieler/188077) in the Bhoys’ Europa League win over Jablonec and notching a hat-trick of assists in the 6-0 Scottish Premiership rout of Dundee.\
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Burnley have been long-term admirers of the 26-year-old, while Italian side Sampdoria and French duo Marseille and Nice have also been [keeping tabs](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/ryan-christie-wanted-sampdoria-celtic-24502557) on the situation throughout the window.

Christie could [sign a pre-contract agreement](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/ryan-christie-burnley-transfer-option-24814682) that would allow him to make a move in January for free, but Celtic are still hoping to negotiate a new deal.

Haggerty thinks Christie would only be using Southampton as a stepping stone if he opts for a switch to St Mary’s.

He said: *“He would go to Southampton for one reason and one reason only – that’s cash. He would want to play against the bigger and better clubs in England and then hopefully get a move to a top-six club.*\
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*“If Ryan Christie decides to go to Southampton, then he’s not thinking about Southampton per se but thinking about two or three years’ time.*

*“He’ll be thinking about that hop, skip and jump which a lot of players who have left Celtic have done when they’ve gone to England.”*