OPINION
Celtic should table a new and improved bid to sign Atalanta right-back Timothy Castagne in the summer transfer window as it seems as though the Scottish giants could find themselves short of players in that position.
According to the Scottish Sun, Cristian Gamboa will not be handed a new deal once his current agreement expires at the end of the season and that has prompted Costa Rican club Deportiva Alajuelense to make an offer for the Parkhead fringe player.
Mikael Lustig has been Celtic’s most used right-back in recent seasons but he might be on his way out in the summer as his deal is also set to expire and Jeremy Toljan’s loan stay from Borussia Dortmund will end in the next few weeks.
It means that Anthony Ralston could be left as the only recognised right-back with first team experience at Celtic Park, and whoever is in charge of the Bhoys will have to go out and sign someone to fill that void.
Belgium international Castagne is someone who was on Celtic’s radar in the January transfer window before they eventually signed Toljan on loan from Dortmund.
Sky Sports Italy journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has reported in February that the Hoops bid £8.7million for Castagne in the winter, but saw their offer turned down by Atalanta.
Castagne is a right-back with a lot of quality and would be a massive upgrade on what Celtic currently have on offer in that position, so with players expected to leave in the summer, it is imperative that Peter Lawwell frees up the funds to make a renewed approach for the 23-year-old.
Atalanta may be more willing to sell Castagne in the summer transfer window than they were in January, so they might accept a similar bid to the one that was reportedly made in January.
He has been a key player for the Serie A side this term, appearing 31 times across all competitions while scoring three goals and supplying five assists in the process.
Castagne is a senior international for Belgium, he is young and he has proven himself in Serie A.
The former Genk star would definitely be a good fit for Celtic and without doubt be the best right-back in the Scottish Premiership if he was snapped up in the summer transfer window.