Celtic are monitoring the situation of Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Adam Reach, The Lancashire Telegraph has reported this week.
Reach’s current contract at the Owls expires this summer. The paper says both Celtic and Rangers are weighing up a pre-contract offer for the versatile 27-year-old.
He moved to Sheffield Wednesday from Middlesbrough in 2016 for a fee of £5m, so a free transfer would represent a pretty decent bargain if he does make the switch to Scotland.
Reach primarily plays on the left flank, which is an area of the pitch Celtic needs competition for.
Mohamed Elyounoussi will likely head back to Southampton after his loan expiration and wing-back Diego Laxalt’s future is just as uncertain.
The Wednesday man has made close to 300 appearances in the English Championship, registering 28 goals and 41 assists [Transfermarkt].
That’s not the most productive of outputs, but clubs have utilised him in various attacking and defensive positions.
Celtic’s transfer links in recent months have mostly been to English-based players.
That’s perhaps a reality of the club shifting focus in the wake of Brexit-related rules that will make it harder to sign EU-based talents.
Celtic supporters are likely expecting a more exciting standard of player than Championship journeymen though.
No harm to Reach is intended in that statement, but if Celtic are to try and build for the future, we need to attract players to the club that can help us grow on the European scene.
Reach may be a solid, versatile choice, but he doesn’t appear to be the most creative or explosive of wingers.
I reckon Celtic can do better this summer. And hopefully, they do.
In other news, SPFL drama edges closer to Celtic as Championship clubs are polled on season end.
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