Celtic won’t be moving for West Brom midfielder Rekeem Harper this summer according to the Daily Mail. That’s after the Parkhead club agreed a fee with Motherwell for their hot prospect David Turnbull.
The pair are both 19-years-old and have enjoyed breakthrough seasons for their clubs, but the Hoops rate Turnbull highest and will no longer pursue Harper.
The West Brom man would have been available on a free transfer this summer after rejecting numerous contract offers from the Baggies.
What does this tell us?
It tells us that the Celtic board aren’t willing to take the cheap option this summer. Harper and his representatives had reportedly been to Celtic Park to see the team in action while Neil Lennon also saw the Englishman play at the end of May. That tells us that there was concrete interest from the club and they’ve chosen to go with the more expensive option.
Weak areas
The signing of Turnbull will mean that we’re pretty well set in midfield and can turn attentions elsewhere. The full-back and centre-back positions are all in dire need of repair so that is something the club must look to press on with.
It is encouraging to know that they’re are willing to spend money this summer. Many felt that the appointment of Neil Lennon would signal a change in strategy from the board. The early signs from this summer’s window show that they are still keen to push the boat out.
Rekeem Harper clearly has potential and may go on to have a good career, but Turnbull seems like the better option for us at present. The Motherwell man knows the Scottish game and arrives with a hype around him like few others in recent memory. Time will tell if the club have made the right decision going for him instead of Harper. We just need to trust them for now and get behind our new signing.
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