Serie B club Bevento have moved to shut down the rumour that Celtic have launched a bid for Gianluca Lapadula.
Peruvian outlet Libero claimed yesterday that the Hoops had made an offer for the £8.5m-rated striker. This comes with the club potentially losing Odsonne Edouard this summer.
Kyogo Furuhashi is already in the door, whilst links to Rennes striker M’Baye Niang have also popped up [Foot Mercato].
However, Benevento sporting director Pasquale Foggia has refuted any idea that the club has received a firm offer.
As quoted by the Scottish Sun, Foggia said: “The future of Gianluca Lapadula depends on the offers that will arrive in the transfer market. And, contrary to reports, we have yet to receive one single concrete offer for the player.
“For now, he remains a Benevento player and is preparing for the new season.”
Benevento striker Gianluca Lapadula doesn’t fit Celtic criteria
It’s easy to get excited by links like this one. After all, the Peruvian striker ended Copa America just one goal shy of top scorers Lionel Messi and Luis Diaz.
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In addition to that, the 31-year-old can play in a number of positions across the frontline. Not to mention the fact he has 118 goals in 250 appearances as a centre-forward [Transfermarkt].
But at the same time, any replacement for Edouard, which is exactly what Lapadula would be, would have to be a long-term replacement.
At 31, the Benevento star wouldn’t have the longevity we would require. And any potential sell-on value would be limited if you’re being generous.
Not to mention the fact that any prospect of splashing out £8.5m on any player this summer seems unlikely at best. You have to consider how much we’ve already spent and how many more players we need in priority positions.
So it’s no surprise to hear Benevento shoot this one down. It never seemed anywhere near likely to begin with.