Celtic scouted Elabdellaoui on Tuesday – Is he a better option than Bauer?

Celtic reportedly sent scouts to watch the highly sought after Omar Elabdellaoui in action for Norway on Tuesday night, but is he a better option than loanee Moritz Bauer?

According to the Daily Mail, scouts from Celtic, Watford and Burnley were all in attendance to watch the defender play for Norway against Romania in the Euro 2020 qualifier on Tuesday, as interest heats up.

Leicester City, Aston Villa and Bournemouth are also said to be interest in the 27-year-old, who is set to be available on a free transfer at the end of the season when his contract with Olympiacos expires.

So would he be a better signing than a permanent deal for Bauer?

READ CELTIC VERDICT

After signing Hatem Abd Elhamed, Moritz Bauer and Jeremie Frimpong last summer, Celtic have a wealth of strong options at right-back this season.

But next season the Hoops may need to either sign Bauer permanently, or look to snatch Elabdellaoui up on a free transfer.

With Celtic likely to have to pay a fee for Bauer at the end of the season as part of the deal, the Hoops may well be scouting Elabdellaoui to keep their options of a potential free transfer open. 

Bauer has impressed at Celtic since his loan from Stoke and would be a fine permanent addition; as would Elabdellaoui, who looks a good defender. 

The interest from elsewhere in the Norway international, however, could ultimately force the Hoops’ hand in paying for Bauer as the aforementioned clubs are likely to chase a move for the Olympiacos man.