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It has been reported that Celtic are interested in signing Barcelona attacking midfielder Alex Collado.
Sky Sports News news editor Anthony Joseph Tweeted that the Hoops have made an enquiry for the player, but other clubs are also keen on signing the 23-year-old, including Olympiacos.
Twitter: Celtic have made an enquiry for Barcelona attacking midfielder Alex Collado.
The 23-year-old is said to be attract… https://t.co/Ti4N7y7HZK (@AnthonyRJoseph)
Joseph’s Tweet doesn’t state if the transfer would be a loan or permanent move, but you have to think that with Barcelona’s financial issues the Spanish club would be keen to get the 23-year-old off the books permanently.
The 23-year-old, who is rated at being worth £3.6m, only has a year left on his current Barcelona contract, so you have to imagine that the La Liga side might well consider a cut-price bid for the player.
Looking at the type of player Collado is, he is an attacking midfielder, which is a position which Celtic are lacking in compared to last season after the summer exit of Tom Rogic. Perhaps Collado, if he joins the Hoops will be the long-awaited Rogic replacement.
The player spent the second-half of last season on loan at FC Granada, and he was a regular in the side, making 17 appearances and weighing in with 2 goals and 1 assist.
The fact that Celtic have made an enquiry about the player shows that Ange Postecoglou must be keen to boost his squad before the transfer window closes on the 31st of August.
On paper the Hoops look to have a strong squad, especially when it comes to domestic football, but it is perhaps lacking a little when it comes to the challenges that the team will face when in the Champions League group stages.
That could be why the Hoops are keen on signing at least one more player in the summer transfer window, to add that bit of Rogicesque magic to the current first-team squad.
If Celtic do want to sign Collado, the Hoops should move to get the deal done as soon as possible, so the player can be integrated into the squad long before the Champions League starts. Ange Postecoglou doesn’t seem afraid to give players playing time as soon as they join the club – that has happened with Aaron Mooy and Moritz Jenz most recently – and it could be the same with Collado should he elect to join the Hoops.
Only time will tell if Collado does sign for Celtic, but it is good news for the fans that the Bhoys remain active in the transfer window after a few quiet weeks.
