Chris Sutton has taken aim at suggestions Celtic should cash in on Nicolas Kühn this summer amid reports linking him to RB Leipzig.
With a transfer fee speculated to sit between £15 million and £20 million, Sutton believes selling now would be premature, insisting the club’s priority should be to keep the winger firing on all cylinders.
He highlighted that Kühn’s early-season brilliance demonstrated a player still rising in confidence and value. A sale now would not only cut short what could be an even stronger campaign, but might also unsettle the dressing room, especially when form and momentum are on the up.
Instead, Sutton pointed to the long game: if Kühn can deliver consistently through a full season—especially in Europe—his price tag could soar beyond current estimates. Striking while he’s hot might seem enticing, but the payoff won’t match the potential upside.
With comparisons being drawn to previous exits like Matt O’Riley and Kieran Tierney, Sutton emphasises that Kühn is not yet at that stage. He believes a mis-timed departure now could stall a career accelerating in the right direction.
He said: (RecordSport), “Brendan Rodgers might need to get back on to his dentist because getting Nicolas Kühn playing with a smile on his face again should be the top priority — not pulling him out of the squad. You could say the tooth hurts, but that early struggle due to dental issues is now behind him.
“Kühn was sensational in the first half of the season and looked like a lock for player of the year. He proved himself in the Champions League and showed he can be a big-game player at Celtic.
“That’s why talk of a £15m sale feels premature. There will be a time to sell Kühn, but now is not the time. Are teams really going to cough up that kind of cash off the back of a red-hot six months? Maybe — but I’m not so sure.
“Kühn isn’t at the stage where a move is inevitable, like it was for Matt O’Riley or Kieran Tierney. He’s still got work to do at Celtic, and if he can maintain consistency across a full campaign, his value will only rise.”
Sutton’s comments point to a more measured approach from Celtic when it comes to selling top players. He’s urging the club to think long-term rather than jump at the first big offer. Keeping Kühn another season could let Rodgers shape the team around him and raise both performance and hie value.
A strong run in the league and Europe next season would give Kühn more chances to shine on a big stage. If he keeps up his level, that could turn interest from clubs like Leipzig into real bids—and possibly for much more money.
Sutton clearly believes the club should hold off and wait until Kühn’s value is clear across a full campaign.
He’s calling for patience, don’t sell on the back of half a season. Let Kühn show what he can do over the long haul, and both Celtic and the player could benefit in the end.
