Celtic should test the waters for Dominic Solanke

By David Walton

December 10, 2018

Celtic should test the waters in January and put a bid in for Liverpool’s Dominic Solanke.

The England Under-21 forward has yet to make a top-team appearance at Anfield this season. That’s despite the fact that Jurgen Klopp didn’t want him leaving on loan at the start of the season.

At 21-years of age, it’s clear the German doesn’t want his forward to leave permanently. Celtic, however, could get some real value in trying to sway him to Parkhead in a loan deal until the summer.

Dominic Solanke has had to watch on from the bench this season at Liverpool (John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Leigh Griffiths and Odsonne Edouard have bagged 19 goals between them this season, which reads well at this stage of the campaign. The fact is, however, that Celtic still need a third striker in there to push them further.

Solanke is a consistent performer at under-21 level for his country. Bagging goals against Denmark and Italy in notable matches this season, he knows where the goal is.

He remains highly-rated at Anfield, despite the fact he hasn’t made an appearance this term.

Celtic could deal rivals a blow if they sign Solanke

Rangers have been strongly linked with the forward, and letting the Ibrox side nick him could be a mistake from the Hoops.

He has tremendous pedigree, and is the kind of player who could bag goals in Scotland for fun. His most productive period came during a loan spell at Vitesse Arnhem of Holland. He netted seven times in 21 starts when he was just 18 years old.

Leigh Griffiths has failed to kick on this season (Vagelis Georgariou/Action Plus via Getty Images)

Griffiths is struggling to push Edouard for a place in Celtic’s first-team. The Scottish international has had his off-field problems this season, and it’s transferring to his battle to be Celtic’s number one striker.

Griffiths showed he isn’t as reliable as many would believe when he was given an opportunity against Motherwell last week. Missing a penalty and putting in a lackluster display, Brendan Rodgers needs more from his fringe-men to keep their title-charge on track.

Bringing in Solanke would add genuine competition to the Hoops going forward. It would also take away one of Steven Gerrard’s top transfer targets.

Is this a deal worth trying to get done?