Celtic are plotting a move for 20-year-old West Brom defender Dara O’Shea, according to the Scottish Sun.
It is claimed that Brendan Rodgers was looking at him before he left to go to Leicester and Celtic are still interested in landing him this summer.
The centre-back is out of contract in the summer, although West Brom have an option to extend his deal.
If they don’t take up their option Celtic could bag the talented youngster on a cut-price development fee.
Good move for Celtic?
The 20-year-old Irish youth international has been a regular for the West Brom Under-23s and made 33 appearances for League Two side Exeter on loan this season. Their manager, Matt Taylor, said that O’Shea had the talent to play at the highest level saying, “He could go all the way” in an interview with the BBC. “Since he’s come into the team he’s been exceptional for us,” added Taylor. That suggests he’s a player who could well turn into a real bargain for Celtic if they can pick him up when his contract expires in the summer.
This is Futbol rating: 8/10
Likely to happen?
It could all hinge on West Brom. With Taylor being so complimentary about the young centre-back you’d have to imagine that they’re going to take up their option to extend his contract. However, they haven’t done that yet and he might not be in their plans going forward. If they don’t take up the option then O’Shea will be looking for a new club this summer and Celtic would be a real head-turner for the youngster. They’ve been interested in him since Rodgers was in charge and that could well sway O’Shea into heading north of the border. They may also face competition from Bournemouth, though, with Eddie Howe seeing the player as following in the footsteps as David Brooks. It might come down to the route into the first team any suitor can offer.
This is Futbol rating: 6/10