OPINION
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has a number of areas in his squad that he may have to strengthen this summer, with the main concerns being in his defence.
There is a distinct lack of quality at centre-back while there is not really a senior back-up option to Kieran Tierney at left-back.
However Rodgers can kill two birds with one stone by signing Newcastle United defender Chancel Mbemba, who is reportedly already on Celtic’s radar going into the summer transfer window.
The Newcastle Chronicle has reported that the Hoops are joined by Anderlecht and Standard Liege in the hunt to sign Mbemba, 23, with him said to be valued at £6million by the Premier League club.
Mbemba can play at both left-back and centre-back, so signing him could solve two of Rodgers’ big problems in one swoop.
However it would mean that the Bhoys would have to match their record transfer spend to snap up the 42-times DR Congo international, even though he has been somewhat of a fringe player at Newcastle this season.
The former Anderlecht defender would certainly be a solid addition in the Scottish Premiership though.
The defensive powerhouse’s versatility and ability to play on the left-hand side of a back three that would allow Tierney to occupy a wing-back role would really help Rodgers to unshackle the Scotland international to let him wreak havoc on opponents.
There’s no better sight in Scottish football than seeing Tierney’s marauding runs down the left flank, and any deal that can be done to mean that happens more frequently should be pulled off immediately.
It may be tough to land Mbembe over the Belgian clubs, but he would be a really solid addition this summer if the Bhoys want to splash the cash.