Report: RB Leipzig enter the chase for Celtic-linked Tyrese Campbell

By David Walton

January 15, 2020

Last season’s Europa League foes, RB Leipzig, are reportedly now in the hunt for Celtic-linked Tyrese Campbell

According to TalkSPORT, the German giants have joined both Celtic and Rangers in the hunt for the Stoke City striker. The report also lists Crystal Palace, Wolves, and Bournemouth as interested parties too.

Worryingly, the report says that Campbell wants to play at the highest possible level. It also states that he’s keen to move abroad if the opportunity arises. Leipzig, so far, are the only club reportedly interested who can give him that chance.

Reported Celtic target Tyrese Campbell (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)

TalkSPORT believes that Stoke are open to allowing Campbell the chance to leave this month. With his contract up at the end of the season, they appear to be willing to discuss a fee now.

Of course, it’s unlikely that Campbell could be landed too cheaply either. Stoke are sitting 21st in the Championship table, and only a point ahead of the relegation spots. Losing Campbell would be a bitter blow for their survival hopes.

Campbell’s record no better than Klimala’s

If Celtic were to miss out on Campbell, it’s not something we should be crying about. Regardless of how highly-rated he is, his record still sits at four goals in 21 appearances for Stoke.

What we would effectively be buying here is potential. Campbell is only 20, and has even been given his under-20 debut with England this season. He bagged two goals against Portugal before playing 11 minutes of England’s 3-0 win against Iceland.

Stoke City’s Tyrese Campbell / (George Wood/Getty Images)

Yet, what’s interesting is that Campbell’s goal return is no better than Celtic’s new signing Patryk Klimala. One of the doubts regarding our new man is the fact he doesn’t have a prolific goal return. He’s only one year older than Campbell yet has three more goals in three fewer appearances this season (Transfermarkt).

Much of this, however, could be down to the fact that Campbell is playing in a struggling Stoke side.

It would also be interesting to see how he handles the physical nature of Scottish football should he sign. Back in pre-season, former Stoke boss Nathan Jones said the following in the Stoke Sentinel:

Celtic boss Neil Lennon (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“We will have to a look at him but he has to get more durable if he wants to play for Stoke City – and wants to play 46 games for Stoke City – he has to be more durable. At the minute he’s not there yet.”

So there’s clear potential there. Whether he’s ready to play for Celtic, however, is well up for debate.