According to The Daily Record, Celtic have made Atalanta’s Timothy Castagne their number one target in January as they appear to have found their replacement for the waning Mikael Lustig – Brendan Rodgers and co. should stop at nothing to bring the right-back to Parkhead in the new year.
What’s the word?
Well, The Daily Record have reported that the Belgian is top of the Hoops’ wish-list when the transfer window opens and that a deal could be struck for a fee of around £6m – if the 23-year-old does make the switch to Glasgow, he will become Rodgers’ second-most expensive signing behind Odsonne Edouard (£9m).
The former Genk man completed a move to the Serie A from his home country in summer 2017 but has since become frustrated by the lack of minutes afforded to him by Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini, meaning that his chances of an extended run in the national team are slim, especially with PSG’s Thomas Meunier to compete with.
Celtic’s own Dedryck Boyata has been able to establish himself in Red Devils boss Roberto Martinez’s considerations and the Scottish League Cup winners will be hoping that the prospect of linking up and forming a partnership with Boyata will be too good to resist for Castagne.
With 32-year-old Lustig still in contract limbo as his current deal is due to run out in the summer and new terms yet to be agreed, the Hoops are in desperate need of a replacement and Castagne will be that and more.
International showstopper
Few can attest to shutting down Liverpool left-back Andrew Robertson, but Castagne did exactly that as he was deployed at wing-back during his side’s 4-0 thumping of Robertson’s Scotland – the 6-foot-1 stalwart commendably neutralised one of the most industrious full-backs in the world.
WhoScored lists both the defender’s tackling and defensive contribution as ‘very strong’, as well as his passing as ‘strong’ and, with his physical stature, the versatile number 21 will slot in seamlessly for the deteriorating Lustig should the Swede leave in the coming months.
Undoubtedly, the big hitter is a snip at £6m and should be a non-negotiable for Rodgers to sign come the new year – what do you think, Celtic fans? Would you like to see a move for Castagne go through? Let us know by voting in the poll below…
