OPINION
Tottenham are reportedly closing in on a move to sign Ajax defender Davinson Sanchez this summer and Celtic should take take advantage by luring Cameron Carter-Vickers to Parkhead.
Guardian journalist Ed Aarons claimed on his personal Twitter account that Spurs are in talks with 21-year-old Sanchez, who is believed to have told the Europa League finalists that he wants to leave.
Tottenham are in talks with Ajax over signing of Davinson Sanchez. Colombia defender has told Dutch side he wants to leave #thfc
— Ed Aarons (@ed_aarons) August 14, 2017
With the Colombia international added to Tottenham’s centre-back ranks along with Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, Eric Dier and Kevin Wimmer, there is likely to be no place for Cameron Carter-Vickers this season.
The 19-year-old defender desperately needs first-team football to continue his development but he is now unlikely to be given much of a chance in north London, even if Mauricio Pochettino uses a three-man defence.
That could see the four-time USA Under-23 international leave the club on loan this summer, with three weeks remaining in the current transfer window.
Celtic are likely to be in the window for a new centre-back after injuries sustained by both Erik Sviatchenko and Dedryck Boyata.
It leaves just Jozo Simunovic and Kristoffer Ajer as options, while the likes of Nir Bitton and Kieran Tierney have since played at the heart of the Celtic defence since Sviatchenko’s injury against Rosenborg.
Celtic need plenty of depth in all positions of their squad, as they embark on a 2017-18 season that will see them fight in four competitions if they can beat FC Astana in the play-off round in the Champions League.
Adding Carter-Vickers to the Celtic squad would give the Hoops another option at centre-back, with the defender offering top quality cover while Sviatchenko is sidelined.
Carter-Vickers boasts plenty of power and strength, as well as an unwavering enthusiasm to do well. Comfortable on the ball, the defender’s mix of defensive and technical ability makes him the perfect kind of Rodgers player.
With the Hoops lacking in huge financial power, adding the Premier League youngster on loan would solve their lack of defensive depth for nothing.
Celtic have already shown that they can nurture potential and promise into proven top-tier talent with the likes of Moussa Dembele, Patrick Roberts and Tierney all shining in the Champions League.
If signed by the Hoops, Carter-Vickers could become the latest example of that and push Celtic towards a second successive treble north of the border.