The Athletic’s Kieran Devlin has provided a transfer update about Celtic, following their recent loan signing of Shane Duffy.
Devlin recently produced an article about Duffy and what his signature could mean for the Bhoys. The article provided statistical and analytical insight about what Duffy can bring to the table for the Hoops and how he is different from Kristoffer Ajer.
Duffy joined on a season-long loan from Brighton and Hove Albion earlier this week, though it was suggested that another centre-back could be on his way to Parkhead in the event of Ajer departing the club this summer.
Ajer has been linked with a move to the likes of AC Milan in recent months – and Devlin’s report claimed that the Hoops will look for a defender who can ‘replicate’ Ajer’s skillset should the Norwegian depart before the deadline passes.
Should Celtic sign another centre-back?
Yes
No
Here’s what the article had to say: ‘It has been suggested to The Athletic that Nick Hammond and the club’s recruitment team are conscious of this. Celtic are apparently looking for two new centre-backs in this window; one as soon as possible, which we can infer is Duffy, while the second is contingent on a player leaving, which we can infer is Ajer.
‘The profiles of players Celtic have considered to be the second new centre-back are more aligned with Ajer than Duffy, including England Under-21 international Jonathan Panzo, prior to his joining Dijon from fellow French club Monaco last week. USA international Mark McKenzie of MLS side Philadelphia Union is another. These players are young but with first-team experience, boast ball-playing ability among their strongest assets, and represent potential resale value.’
TIF Thoughts…
While Panzo has already joined Dijon from Monaco, McKenzie is a regular for his MLS club currently. He is only 21 and has already made his debut for the senior national team of the United States.
So, due to his young age, he might offer the potential to grow as a player and, therefore, he may offer high resale value as well.
Even at a young age, McKenzie offers the experience of playing some regular first-team football, so it appears obvious why Celtic may take an interest in the youngster, as Devlin suggests himself.
And with Ajer linked with a move away, it looks as though the pieces are starting to fall into place as talk continues over the future makeup of the Celtic defence.