Fabrizio Romano updated us all this afternoon to reveal there has been movement within the City Group network as we speak. Belgian side Lommel, who coincidentally boast a player Celtic are keen to sign for the vacant defensive midfield berth – Vinicius Souza, are in the process of signing midfielder Metinho from French side Troyes. This has prompted speculation that fellow Brazilian Souza could be earmarked for a move elsewhere shortly.
Celtic really need to fill this position with a high-grade replacement for Nir Bitton crucial to helping us make an impact on the European circuit. Unfortunately, when you step up the levels the exposure that your defence is put under is miles greater than that of the Europa League or Conference for that matter. Stylistically Ange wishes to play an all out attacking brand of football too, meaning it is more a necessity rather than a want.
Vinicius Souza and Charleroi’s Adem Zorgane fight for the ball during a soccer match between KV Mechelen and Sporting Charleroi, Saturday 23 April 2022, in Mechelen. Photo by BRUNO FAHY/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)
We have been linked with several names for this specialist position since the transfer window opened. However, it is plain to see that Vinicius Souza is the one with the highest pedigree and also one that Ange himself is sweet on the idea of. The engine room has missed a player of that combative make-up for quite some time, and the City Group owned Brazilian would excel in the void currently at Parkhead.
With Romano the man to ask in regards transfer dealings, his latest update will no doubt send the Celtic supporters into delirium with this announcement. Eager to add that steel in midfield as well as a new left-back – which we secured in Alexandro Bernabei today – the two key positions we wished would be taken care of are halfway done.
So could Metinho’s move to Lommel from Troyes be a sign that Vinicius Souza is on his way to Paradise?
You just can’t take your eyes off it at the moment, can you?
Here is the update from Romano:
Paul Gillespie
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