Report: Celtic midfielder Ismaila Soro in advanced talks to join FC Arouca

Real Betis Jose Andre Guardado R in action against Celtic Glasgow s Ismaila Soro C during a UEFA Europa League Group G soccer match between Real Betis and Celtic Glasgow at Benito Villamarin stadium in Sevilla, southern Spain, 16 September 2021. Photo Julio Munoz

‘Celtic midfielder Ismaila Soro is in advanced talks to join FC Arouca, sources have told Football Insider.

The 24-year-old has been left out of the Glasgow giants’ pre-season tour so he can finalise a loan move to the Portuguese club.’

‘Celtic boss Ange Postecoglu has given the green light to Soro leaving as he does not consider him a key part of his first-team plans for the new season.’

Ismaila Soro during the UEFA Europa League Group G stage match between Real Betis and Celtic FC at Benito Villamarin Stadium. Photo Jose Luis Contreras

With Ange Postecoglou keen to bring ‘one or two’ more transfers in to Celtic to bolster his squad ahead of a title defence and Champions League qualifiers, the ghosts of recruitment past still haunt those efforts somewhat. As such news that Ismaila Soro may be one out of favour player who can make room for new additions has to be welcome news.

With little recent football behind him, and only 19 appearances last season, the vast majority in the early stages on Postecoglou’s reign, the chances of a permanent deal to move Soro on were always going to be slim. But an opportunity to try before you buy for Arouca may well encourage a permanent switch, should Soro impress enough during the loan move.

Celtic v Dundee United – Ismaila Soro. Photo:Jane Barlow

Soro arrived at Celtic in 2020 from Bnei Yehuda, and showed some initial promise when he made early appearances at the same time David Turnbull came into the team, but whilst Turnbull has developed well and become a key part of Postecoglou’s squad, Soro hasn’t convinced quite so much.

There is no denying Soro’s willingness, energy and work rate, but there is a rashness to his play that doesn’t seem to be able to be coached out of the player. And after being given plenty of opportunities to shine, it’s clearly been decided that Soro’s deficiencies are not going to be sufficiently ironed out to ensure he’s capable of being a first team starter, particularly now as he’s very much behind Callum McGregor, Yosuke Ideguchi and James McCarthy in the No6 pecking order.

As such a move to the Primeira Liga would make sense for all concerned, and would also free up some space in the squad as Ange Postecoglou looks to build on an already impressive transfer window so far.