Celtic are really beginning to ramp up their efforts in the transfer market this week with Ange Postecoglou desperately requiring further bodies.
The Hoops have impressed in pre-season under the new manager but there is a sense that more senior faces are needed ahead of their Champions League qualifying campaign.
What’s the word?
Celtic are moving quickly to secure the services of a number of players in key areas.
Their chase for Carl Starfelt initially looked to be off the table but an early update on Wednesday suggests they have now actually agreed a deal.
The Bhoys are working on a switch for Rennes defender Brandon Soppy but talks have also been held over his teammate, Sacha Boey.
That’s according to Le Parisien (via Get Football News France) who suggest that formal discussions are ongoing over the 20-year-old.
The right-back is currently valued at £2.2m by Transfermarkt.
Postecoglou needs him
Make no mistake about it, signing a right-back is the most important task on the new manager’s agenda this summer.
Jonjoe Kenny left at the end of last month following his loan spell with Celtic and after he failed to impress, they have sought alternatives.
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At the moment, the Glaswegian side have only a few options they could use on the right-hand side of defence.
That includes Anthony Ralston who made just one appearance in the entirety of last season and Lee O’Connor who was on loan at Tranmere in the fourth tier of English football.
Postecoglou could also field new signing Osaze Urhoghide at full-back but they need some more convincing options.
In Boey, they’d receive a player with a solid level of experience in Europe’s top five leagues.
The youngster spent last term on loan at Dijon and played against the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Neymar. His side were ultimately relegated from Ligue 1 but Boey was named their best prospect throughout 2020/21.
Dubbed a “talented” footballer by Zach Lowy, it’s easy to see why he’s caught the eye of Celtic’s talent spotters.
First and foremost, he’s a physically robust full-back capable of dominating in the tackle. Last season, he made 2.3 tackles per game – more than any player in the green and white Hoops.
He makes more challenges than 99% of other full-backs and is ranked in the top 20% for right-backs when it comes to his successful tackling rate of 69%.
On top of that, Boey loves to get forward. Despite featuring in a team that were forced to play on the back foot, he performed 0.9 dribbles and 0.8 key passes per game.
With that in mind, he looks like he’d be ideal for Postecoglou’s system. He can defend capably and get forward when necessary.
The Hoops now just need to decide whether they want to sign him instead of Soppy.
AND in other news, Celtic heading for potential disaster after Hoops news emerges, fans must be seething…