Celtic have made contact over a January move for Kisvarda midfielder Ridwan Popoola, 67 Hail Hail can exclusively reveal.
Martin O’Neill is searching for players to ‘supplement’ his squad, with a host of wingers and strikers being linked in recent days.
19-year-old Popoola has been ever-present for the Hungarian side, who currently sit sixth in the nation’s top-flight.
A host of clubs are in the race for Popoola, with Aberdeen and Queens Park Rangers among those reportedly interested.
But with Celtic in the running and in need of players, a January move could be in the offing.
How much of a priority is a defensive midfielder for Celtic in January?
Celtic in the running to sign Ridwan Popoola
A tall, powerful midfielder, Popoola moved to Hungary from Olukismet FC in Nigeria, initially playing in the second tier.
Since Kisvarda’s promotion, he has established himself as one of the best teenagers in the country.
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Playing at the base of a midfield diamond, Popoola would, in theory, provide cover for Callum McGregor which doesn’t currently exist.
But he isn’t purely a defensive player, ranking very highly for dribbles in the division.
Despite his official market value of €500,000, Kisvarda are expected to demand more, given the amount of interest in the teenager.
Celtic’s squad is loaded with midfielders, with six clear first-team options on the books – but the squad arguably lacks a single ‘number 6’-type player.
Popoola could offer a potential understudy to an ageing McGregor, signed at a low-risk with a high-reward.
Whether he is the level of first-team upgrades needed in the midst of a title race, however, isn’t certain.
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Martin O’Neill on Celtic’s transfer business
Speaking about the Hoops’ transfer procedures for January, interim boss O’Neill was brutally honest in his answer.
He said: “I’d love to blame all the people, but it’s down to me.
“Because unless you’ve identified a player that you absolutely know is going to improve your team, and that you’re prepared to spend the money on them, I think it becomes more difficult.
“I think I might’ve said to you a couple of weeks ago that the new manager would’ve wanted to have the January transfer window so that he could identify players for his particular system.
“Now, we are genuinely working really hard in the background. So there’s no impediment in that sense. It’s just about trying to get some people in that we think can help us now, at least until the end of the season.
“Essentially, it’s true [that I’m being presented players to make a judgement on]. I have discarded some. That is true.
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