Alberth Elis could reportedly leave Boavista after 2020 Celtic admission

By David Walton

May 5, 2021

Former Celtic-linked Honduran international Alberth Elis could be on the move from Boavista this summer, according to Portuguese outlet O Jogo.

O Jogo report that there is interest from France and England, with Ligue 1 and English Premier League clubs monitoring the winger.

Elis was linked with Celtic back in the summer of 2020, with the Hoops reportedly seeing an offer of £3million rejected [Daily Record]. Despite being in rip-roaring form for Houston, however, Elis wouldn’t end up at Celtic Park. Instead, he signed for Boavista.

Of course, this was only after he outlined a desire to move to Parkhead. Last year, Elis claimed that he had been consistently asking former Celtic hero Emilio Izaguirre to recommend him to the Parkhead club [Daily Record]:

“When I first played for Honduras I asked Emilio to recommend me to Celtic. In fact, I always ask him that!”

It was therefore extremely disappointing to see him end up with Boavista last summer. But after a struggling campaign for the Portuguese club, who hovers just above the relegation zone, O Jogo reports that there is growing interest in the Honduran.

Nothing to stop Celtic from answering the Alberth Elis question again; Boavista unlikely to want excessive fee

Much will depend on the new manager at Celtic of course, but Elis would be a solid option. If Celtic decided to go back in for him this summer, they may just find that it’s affordable. Boavista, after all, haven’t sold a player for over £3m in their history according to Transfermarkt.

Elis cost them a reported £2.75m [Diez]. It wouldn’t take too much for Celtic to offer them a decent profit on him to tempt them into selling. With a contract that runs until 2024, however, Boavista would hold all of the cards.

It would seem a good investment for Celtic if they decided to put the money forward of course. He’s had a productive campaign in Portugal, bagging seven goals and six assists in 28 appearances [Transfermarkt]. That follows on from an incredible career with Houston in the MLS. He managed 63 direct goal contributions in 101 matches with the Dynamo.

Alberth Elis celebrates after netting in Porto (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)

Elis has shown brilliant technique, an eye for a goal and a pass, as well as good hold-up and combination play. The physical aspect of Scottish football wouldn’t take him by surprise either. He’s proven himself to be able to take some rough challenges down the flanks for both Houston and Boavista.

Not to mention the Honduran is also extremely versatile. He can play on either flank or even up front, where Boavista have regularly been utilising him this season. Celtic, by chance, need a host of singings across the front-line this summer. If Elis is the kind of player that fits into the new manager’s style – it looks like Boavista could listen to offers.

This would be a fantastic investment to get over the line given his MLS record in particular. And at 25, we would still be buying at a good age.

In other news, John Kennedy’s big Celtic step has backfired horrendously.