Celtic’s interest in Sao Paulo’s Damian Bobadilla has been confirmed by leading Paraguayan journalist Bruno Pont.
Pont reports that the Hoops are not the only European side interested, with Brighton and ‘several’ other clubs in the race.
Six months ago, an Italian club reportedly sent a proposal to the Paraguay international, and Pont doesn’t rule out that they could revisit this in the summer.
He becomes the latest player on the Latin American market in whom Celtic have been credited with an interest after Mexican striker duo Avi Avila and Armando Gonzalez.
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Celtic interested in Damian Bobadilla of Sao Paulo
Bobadilla was brought to Sao Paulo in January 2024 in a £2.2 million deal from Cerro Porteno in his homeland.
He has since established himself as a regular fixture in the Brazilian giants’ midfield.
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He has been capped 17 times by Paraguay, for whom he will appear at this summer’s World Cup in North America.
5 ft 11 in in height, he is an all-action midfield player who gets involved in all thirds of the pitch. Whilst not being a prolific goalscorer, he has developed a reputation for long-range stunners.
Bobadilla wouldn’t come cheap. As one of the biggest clubs in the country, Sao Paulo aren’t known for letting go of their best players.
They are managed by the legendary Hernan Crespo, and Brazilian internationals Lucas Moura and Wendell are among their current players.
Also in their squad is winger Ferreira, for whom Celtic made an approach in the summer of 2023 under Ange Postecoglou.
Bobadilla started as Tricolor were eliminated in the Brazilian Paulista semi-final against Palmeiras on Sunday.
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Celtic’s transfer links since the closure of the January transfer window
The emergence of so many Latin American links can be explained by Mark Cooper’s present role in the Hoops’ makeshift recruitment staff. Cooper spent a lengthy period working in the region.
Elsewhere, it has emerged that Celtic like Luke Graham of Dundee, but they aren’t alone in that – Rangers, Aberdeen and English clubs are all also in the race for the defender.
Plymouth duo Lorent Tolaj and Aribim Pepple are of reported interest, with some sources even saying that Celtic are ‘leading the race’ for both of the strikers’ signatures.
Huddersfield Town’s Cameron Ashia has also been mentioned.
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