Celtic have unfortunately missed out on securing young Mohamed Sankoh, with the exciting youngster instead signing for Stuttgart in Germany.
The Bundesliga announced on their official website that the young striker has penned a five-year deal with the Bundesliga returnees. The Bundesliga also labeled him as similar to that of Belgian superstar Romelu Lukaku in his playing style.
The Daily Express, meanwhile, has listed Celtic alongside a host of top European clubs to have missed out on Sankoh. The likes of Tottenham Hotspur, AC Milan, Atalanta, and Atletico Madrid were also mentioned.
The Express has also stated that Sankoh was invited to train at Chelsea’s base on a trial basis as they evaluated whether to make a move for him. In the end, they reportedly decided against snapping Sankoh up.
The Dutchman signs for Stuttgart after spending last season with Stoke City’s under-18s and under-23s respectively.
Do Celtic have enough striker projects?
Odsonne Edouard and Leigh Griffiths have shown what they can do. But below those two, do Celtic have enough young strikers at the club already that we should be focusing on? 100%.
Patryk Klimala is the obvious one. He’s in and about the first team these days and threatening to really take Griffiths’ place if the Scotland international isn’t careful. There’s an even an argument there already that Klimala has done so.
Vakoun Bayo is another one who is only 23 at the moment. There remains plenty of potential there, and the fact he hasn’t yet been sold permanently is a sign that Neil Lennon still wants to work with him in the long-term.
In the development squad, the Hoops have Jonathan Afolabi and Jack Aitchison looking to be given more opportunities in the coming years. Whether either will make it is up for debate, but the fact is they’re there and part of a squad that Celtic will want to try and develop.
New blood is always welcome, especially a player as highly-sought after as Sankoh appeared to be. But he wasn’t a necessity. The Dutchman has probably made a shrewd move in going to a club just promoted to one of Europe’s top five leagues in any case. If a youngster is good enough, Bundesliga clubs will always give them their chance to shine at the top level.
But the fact there didn’t appear to be much of a fight put up by Celtic is maybe telling.
In other news, a Celtic-linked Manchester United youngster has opened up on his future.
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