Celtic must make Brondby striker Teemu Pukki their top priority this summer if they sell star striker Moussa Dembele.
Sky Sports Italy correspondent Gianluca Di Marzio claimed on his personal website that AC Milan have joined a hotly-contested race to sign French wonderkid Dembele, after starring in Brendan Rodgers’ side this season.
Here, This Is Futbol considers three reasons why former Hoops star Pukki would prove to a be a fantastic signing on Parkhead if he is brought to replace Dembele or even offer the former Fulham striker competition.
Brondby form
Fresh from scoring in the Cup final, Pukki has finished as the league’s second highest goalscorer with 16 strikes in the top tier of Danish football, finding the back of the net an impressive 28 times in all competitions. The 54-time international’s stunning form in front of goal this season has made a him a different player to the striker that stuttered in Glasgow between 2013 and 2015. Now, a more confident, prolific Pukki is twice the player he once was and would significantly boost Rodgers’ attacking options in the final third should he give the attacker a second chance at Celtic Park.
Something to prove to the Hoops faithful
During a two-year spell in Glasgow, the 27-year-old striker scored just nine goals in 38 league and cup outings as he failed to cope with the rigours and expectation that come with playing for the Scottish champions. With the bit between his teeth, Rodgers could be bringing in a striker that will be determined to prove to Parkhead fans that he can find the back of the net on a consistent basis. That could even bring the best out of Dembele, if he stays, by providing him with tough competition to lead Rodgers’ attack.
Contract situation
Despite bring Brondby’s top scorer, Pukki has just one season left on his current contract with the Danish giants and could be allowed to leave in a cut-price deal this summer as his side look to avoid losing him on a free. Rodgers is unlikely to be given a huge transfer budget despite the Bhoys’ participation in the Champions League, and bringing in Pukki in a bargain deal will allow the former Liverpool boss to spend the majority of his transfer budget on other areas of the squad.