In And Out – Two Last Minute Deals That Celtic Could Complete This Summer
Celtic’s squad isn’t appreciably weaker than last season’s squad and that alone is a relief for them at present, given the resurgence of Rangers in the transfer market.
They can yet make changes though and one potential inward bound player may do just a little to balance out their possible outgoing striker. Here are the two deals which could yet be made to happen at Celtic Park:
Patrick Roberts (from Manchester City)
The young winger was very honest with Celtic and told manager Brendan Rodgers that he wanted the chance to impress Pep Guardiola over the summer. Just in case that was in any way unsuccessful, the club moved to sign Aberdeen winger Jonny Hayes but we know that he is not of the same quality or potential as the young Englishman.
Predictably, Roberts is not being considered for first team action at the Etihad just yet, despite the departure of Jesus Navas. So he looks keen to return to Celtic and there is no doubt that the club want him back. Their overtures have been very public and luckily, due to the situation, have not been to the chagrin of City.
Roberts is quality and, in theory at least, can only get better. So this deal if and when it happens, can be seen as a major positive for Celtic, who otherwise looked weaker without him.
Moussa Dembele (to Chelsea)
Big money was touted in January from Chelsea for the striker and the move didn’t happen then. It’s been a relatively quiet summer as regards to Dembele rumours but the move could yet be on.
A couple of very public moves have pointed the way to this; firstly that Celtic have slapped an apparent £20million price tag on him which is a code for saying he now is for sale. Secondly, Atletico Madrid are making no secret of the fact that they would accept Diego Costa back and it seems the front man wants out of Chelsea now.
A vacancy is, therefore, opening up at Stamford Bridge and it’s not one thought to be being filled by the likes of Michy Batshuayi. Romelu Lukaku has chosen Manchester United and so the stars seem to be aligning for Dembele to make a quick return to West London, this time in the blue of Chelsea rather than in the white of Fulham.
Of course Celtic fans don’t want to believe Dembele will leave, at least not this soon, but frankly, if he is going to get a gig playing for France at the World Cup, then sadly it’s not going to happen while playing in the Scottish Premiership.
Comments are closed.