The time is right for Celtic to move for Houston Dynamo winger Alberth Elis

By David Walton

August 25, 2020

After plenty of speculation in the past, the time is now right for Celtic to make their move for Houston Dynamo’s Alberth Elis.

The right-winger, who has now spent three years with the MLS side, has restarted his campaign with a bang. Elis impressed in the MLS is Back competition, bagging two goals in two games against LAFC and Portland Timbers respectively.

The Honduran has been the subject of interest from Celtic in the past, with the Hoops reportedly seeing a £3million bid turned down last year (Daily Record).

Houston Dynamo attacker Alberth Elis wants to move to Celtic / (Photo by Andrew Bershaw/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

However, the player has himself admitted that he “always asks” countryman Emilio Izaguirre about getting him a move to Celtic when they meet on international duty (Daily Record).

Elis is now well into the final year of his contract, which is due to expire at the end of 2020 (MLS). Therefore, Celtic really should chance their arm and put in a decent offer for the 24-year-old.

The perfect rival for James Forrest?

Elis’ form will attract attention if it hasn’t done already. He’s threatening to light things up again in the MLS, and the Hoops could do with firing a bid in before he has the chance to really announce himself before his contract runs out.

Saturday’s game at Tannadice proved that Celtic still have no real competition for James Forrest. The winger was left out of the starting line-up to face Dundee United, but Ryan Christie was shoved out onto the right hand side and into a position he clearly didn’t fancy.

Meanwhile, Forrest wasn’t dropped due to needing a rest. He was dropped because he’s been performing poorly. Not having a rival for the jersey is clearly taking its effect on the veteran Scotland international.

Alberth Elis in action for Houston (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Forrest has always been at his best when he’s had genuine competition. Look at how good he was when Patrick Roberts was in Glasgow. The Celtic man ended up winning his place back from Roberts and steered himself onto new heights.

But since Roberts’ departure in 2018, that gap has never been filled.

Elis would provide speed, technical prowess, and a genuine eye for goal. Despite being a winger, the Honduran has notched 30 goals in 83 MLS matches (Transfermarkt).

Given his previously stated desire to come to Parkhead, now feels like the right time to give this one a go.

Houston could have one final chance to get some money for him, whilst Celtic would be able to fend off the interest that will surely surround him when he becomes a free agent. As for Elis, he’ll get the move to Europe he’s always wanted, and a chance to really springboard himself onto greater things.

In other news, Celtic have reportedly agreed a £7.2m fee with a Turkish club for another forward.