PAYBACK TIME

Bren tells chiefs they OWE fans to spend as Barca kid beckons

- MICHAEL GANNON

BRENDAN RODGERS insists Celtic owe it to fans to splash the cash - with Barcelona kid Alex Valle poised to kick off a frantic final week of the window.

The Parkhead coffers are set to be swelled by another huge cheque with Matt O'Riley's move to Brighton rubber-stamped for a Scottish record £26million up front, which could rise to £30m.

Rodgers watched his side cruise to victory over St Mirren yesterday but he admitted recruitment has stalled in recent months and big moves are needed in the last five days of the window.

Chairman Peter Lawwell copped flak from some fans outside the stadium amid frustration at the lack of activity but the Hoops are chasing £8m-rated Los Angeles FC attacker Mateusz Bogusz and £10m Augsburg hot prospect Arne Engels and are in the frame for a raft of others.

Nou Camp youngster Valle could be the first in the door, with the Hoops understood to have agreed a season-long loan deal for the 20-year-old left-back followed by a potential £2.5m permanent deal down the line.