OPINION
Celtic need to improve on all fronts in this current transfer window – that was made abundantly clear after they lost to Rangers last weekend – and recruiting a centre-back is no doubt part of that plan.
After all, they are set to lose Filip Benkovic in the summer when his loan spell expires and he returns to Leicester City – and Dedryck Boyata could be set to leave too after his agent hinted that he will not extend his current four-year contract.
“We are not even talking,” his agent told Het Laatste Nieuws when asked about extending Boyata’s contract.
The need to sign a new centre-back is now more paramount than ever, and the Hoops should look no further than Atalanta defender Gianluca Mancini.
The Mirror report that the likes of Premier League side Everton are after the 22-year-old and could make a bid in the summer for him – but it is Celtic who must win the race for his services.
Mancini is a talented young player who has a lot of potential at the Serie A club, and has made 14 appearances for them so far this season.
Swooping for Mancini when he is still so young would be a great move for Celtic, as they can mould him into the player they want him to be when two of their main assets potentially leave in the summer.
The ace has the makings of a player who will succeed at a club like the Hoops, so Brendan Rodgers must not hesitate and pounce for the young ace while he can.
Mancini is just the sort of signing that can lift the fans’ hopes after the loss to their bitter rivals – and the fact he is nearing his debut for the Italy national team after impressing so much with Atalanta goes to show what a red-hot talent he actually is.
Rodgers must ensure that his side are at the top of the pile once and for all – and with a signing like Mancini, they will certainly be on their way.