Celtic are said to have made an approach for a £2.5m-rated midfielder, as they look to beat a Premier League club to his signature, among others.
Rodgers pushing for “statement” Celtic signing
Brendan Rodgers doesn’t appear to be messing around this summer, during a transfer window in which he knows the importance of nailing his business.
In fact, the Celtic manager is even thought to be personally pushing to sign Brighton striker Evan Ferguson, according to former scout Mick Brown, with the Republic of Ireland striker linked with either a loan or permanent move to Parkhead this summer.
“Celtic can offer attractive opportunities to players like Ferguson. They’re going to be playing in the Champions League and competing for trophies, which would be valuable experience for a player of his age.
“He could go to Celtic as the main man up front, away from the pressure that comes with the Premier League, and prove what he can do. I think Brendan Rodgers will be pushing to get that done, he wants to be ambitious in the market. He expects to be backed and this would be a statement of intent, even if it’s on a loan deal.”
On the flip side, Celtic will be at risk of losing certain key players, with Nicolas Kuhn falling into that category and reportedly wanted by RB Leipzig, having been in their academy earlier in his career.
Celtic make approach for £2.5m midfielder
According to Africa Foot [via Sport Witness], Celtic have made an approach for Yverdon Sport midfielder Moussa Baradji, in what looks to be a competitive battle for his signature.
Fiorentina, Parma, Torino, Basel and Galatasaray are all mentioned in the report, but it is Sunderland who are in transfer talks ahead of their return to the Premier League next season, looking to get ahead of others in the race. He is expected to cost £2.5m.
Baradji will be something of an unknown to plenty of Celtic supporters, with all due respect to him, considering he is yet to play for a team in Europe’s top five leagues.
That’s not to say that he wouldn’t be a good signing for the Hoops, however, and the level of interest in him suggests that he could be an effective addition to Rodgers’ squad, with analyst Maxime Schar calling him a player who is “at ease under pressure”.
At 24, Baradji is at a perfect age, possessing enough experience to hit the ground running immediately, but also still having a healthy chunk of his career ahead of him.
While at his best as a box-to-box midfielder, the Frenchman is also adept of playing in a deeper role, too, and even as a right winger, if needed.
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It looks as though Sunderland are pushing particularly hard to sign Baradji this summer, but Celtic can offer him Champions League football, which will hopefully prove to be a huge lure for him.
