Celtic have been in the hunt to sign versatile Manchester City player Oleksandr Zinchenko this summer, according to Deportes ABC.
The Spanish news outlet claims that the Ukraine international, who can play anywhere on the left-flank or in central midfield, is also wanted by Real Betis and could even be loaned out to Girona to join ex-Hoops star Patrick Roberts.
Zinchenko is yet to feature in a matchday squad for Premier League giants Man City this season and it appears as though the £20,000-a-week (Spotrac) ace could be on his way out of the Etihad before the end of the month.
Good move for Celtic?
Zinchenko would have been a class addition for the Bhoys if Brendan Rodgers was able to lure him to Parkhead.
Pep Guardiola would have already seen the success that Patrick Roberts had in Glasgow, so it’s not like sending him on loan to the Scottish champions wouldn’t have been a bad idea on his part.
Zinchenko’s versatility is what makes him such a useful player.
Before Emilio Izaguirre was re-signed, the Ukrainian could have played at left-back as back-up to Kieran Tierney.
He can also play in the attack so would have been a good player to help Rodgers rotate his squad.
This is Futbol rating 8/10
Likely to happen?
It seems as though Real Betis are winning the race to sign Zinchenko and that means that a move to Celtic is not likely to happen between now and the end of the transfer window next week.
Before Izaguirre was signed, signing Zinchenko would have made a lot of sense but now, Rodgers probably doesn’t need him so will more than likely focus his efforts on signing a centre-back or two.
This is Futbol rating 1/10