OPINION
With just a couple of days left until the transfer window shuts and clubs in Scotland are stuck with the squads they have, Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers appears to be a busy man, balancing preparations for a Europa League qualifier and Glasgow derby clash with hunting for deals.
The Hoops have seen a handful of signings through the door at Parkhead but at the same time have also allowed several faces to head through the exit as Rodgers tries to build a side capable of competing not only for a third successive domestic treble but to improve on the European stage.
Having taken Patrick Roberts on loan from Manchester City for the last two seasons, it appears as though the boss is looking at the Premier League champions once again, with the Scottish Sun reporting a loan move for central midfielder Douglas Luiz is being plotted.
The 20-year-old Brazilian is said to have struggled to get a work permit in England and that Celtic are looking at taking advantage, but the 5’8″ (source: Transfermarkt) figure’s proposed arrival will be casting doubts over the rest of the squad as the competition heats up.
With Scott Brown and Olivier Ntcham firmly the first choice in the centre, Luiz’s arrival must be putting the writing firmly on the wall for 2017 signing Eboue Kouassi, who has struggled to make the desired impact in Glasgow since signing from Krasnodar in last year’s January transfer window.
With 19 appearances under his belt across all competitions, the 20-year-old has never been favoured by Rodgers, and with just one league outing this season – also his only appearance in the matchday squad – coming in the 1-0 defeat against Hearts, Luiz’s capture would ruin his chances of any sort of action.
He might just be 20 but age is nothing if you are good enough, as proven by the likes of Odsonne Edouard and Moussa Dembele, and at the moment, Kouassi is lacking the desired talent.
Luiz could be the beginning of the end for the youngster, who after a year and a half at Celtic Park really has not met expectations.