Reported 2020 Celtic target Noa Lang is being linked with a €30m (£25m) move to Premier League giants Arsenal.
Lang was a subject of Celtic interest in 2020, with Goal reporting that Celtic were duking it out with Hertha Berlin, Real Sociedad and Villarreal. Instead, the Dutch youngster moved to Club Brugge, where he’s scored 21 and set up 15 in just 50 games [Transfermarkt].
That’s attracted the interest of Arsenal, according to Voetball 24.
Celtic were keen on the left-winger, who can also play on the right or anywhere in the middle, from central midfield forwards. Lang, an Ajax youth product, made his international debut against Latvia early this year. He’s since added to it with an assist against Gibraltar in a 6-0 rout on Monday [BBC].
It’s little wonder Celtic were interested in the first place. Despite not being able to contribute a huge amount to Ajax, playing just 16 times in the Eredivisie, his rise since has been exponential.
In his first season with Club Brugge, Lang scored 17 times, setting up 11 for his teammates. So far this campaign, his production has only improved, with 8 goal contributions in just 13 games, split evenly between goals and assists.
With Arsenal looking to replace key parts of their frontline, it’s absolutely no shock that the formerly lofty Gunners are looking to Lang.
What might’ve been for Celtic, as Noa Lang attracts serious interest from Arsenal
The worst part for Celtic? Noa Lang was affordable. When he moved to Club Brugge, it was for a reported €6m, or £5m [NU].
Fine, we had Mohamed Elyounoussi last season. However, he was never likely to sign permanently, and at just 21, Noa Lang represented significant potential for the Bhoys.
Again, though, a Belgian club swooped in disappoint Celtic. And now, just a year on, they have the opportunity to make a sizeable profit on the Dutch international.
Obviously, clubs can’t tell the future. But you have to imagine there’s a scout or two at Celtic tearing their hair out over this one. That’ll be especially true if Noa Lang goes on to have a successful time with Arsenal, provided their interest results in a bid.
A few crumbs of comfort, though; there was no guarantee he’d sign for us. Also, we’d have had to replace him pretty quickly, and it’d have been (presumably) another big player leaving after Ajer and Edouard.
Still though. Looks like a bit of a sore one from Celtic’s perspective.
Read more: The Celtic transfer trend that shows no sign of stopping soon
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