Celtic haven’t made a giant splash in the summertime switch window as of but, with over a month left to go earlier than it slams shut, as they haven’t spent greater than £2m on a single participant.
The £2m that they shelled out for versatile midfielder Benjamin Nygren is probably the most cash that they’ve spent on a single signing thus far, which implies that there might be larger offers to come back within the subsequent few weeks.
Brendan Rodgers lately made it very clear that the Hoops have to “enhance the squad” additional in the event that they wish to be formidable and progress as a membership.
Which means that the Scottish Premiership champions might have to take a look at higher-profile signings earlier than the top of the window, in an try to duplicate the success that they had with Arne Engels final summer time.
Celtic hit the jackpot with Arne Engels
Celtic reportedly smashed their club-record switch charge to signal the Belgium worldwide from Bundesliga facet Augsburg for £11m, which was an formidable transfer that paid off on the pitch.
Engels ended his first season at Parkhead with a return of ten objectives and 13 assists in 53 appearances in all competitions for the Scottish giants, which reveals that he provided high quality as each a scorer and a creator of objectives.
Though you could possibly additionally put it right down to the change in format, the Belgian star additionally helped Celtic to get previous the group/league part of the Champions League for the first time for the reason that 2012/13 marketing campaign, as they misplaced to Bayern Munich within the play-off stage.
Engels produced one objective and three assists in ten video games within the competitors, and Celtic might discover a equally efficient midfield star by signing Salvatore Esposito.
Why Celtic ought to signal Salvatore Esposito
The Hoops have been linked with an curiosity within the Spezia star, who’s valued at round £5m by the Italian facet, and he might arrive as their subsequent Engels-esque deal.
Though he wouldn’t be as costly, a charge of £5m would nonetheless be greater than double what Celtic have paid for every other participant this summer time, and he would are available in as a probably game-changing signing.
Esposito, who has been hailed as “elegant” and an “orchestrator” by expertise scout Jacek Kulig, caught the attention along with his sensible performances within the Serie B for Spezia final time period.
His type within the second division in Italy means that the potential is there for the 24-year-old star to have an analogous affect to Engels at Parkhead.
24/25 season |
Engels (Premiership) |
Esposito (Serie B) |
---|---|---|
Appearances |
34 |
34 |
Targets |
9 |
7 |
Massive possibilities created |
11 |
18 |
Assists |
6 |
9 |
Duels received per sport |
2.5 |
7.3 |
Floor duel success fee |
49% |
68% |
Aerial duel success fee |
49% |
51% |
As you’ll be able to see within the desk above, their respective performances at league stage final time period even counsel that Esposito might provide extra to the group as a creator and when it comes to what he can provide out of possession, by creating extra high-quality possibilities and successful extra duels with higher effectivity.
Subsequently, the Italy worldwide might have a big affect on the group if he is ready to translate these performances over to Scottish soccer and the Champions League, probably pushing Celtic on to succeed in the following stage on the European stage, by being a unbelievable box-to-box midfield presence.
Celtic have received the Premiership title in every of the final 4 years, which implies that the Champions League is the place they need to be concentrating on progress, and Esposito’s type compared to Engels means that he will help them to push on as soon as extra.

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Subsequently, the Hoops ought to think about pushing the boat out to splash £5m on a brand new midfield signing to play alongside the likes of Engels and Reo Hatate subsequent season.