Celtic are on the verge of signing Uruguayan international Diego Laxalt from AC Milan, Sky Sports report.
The broadcaster believes the left-back is on his way to London to complete a medical before being announced as Neil Lennon’s sixth signing of the transfer window.
Reports emerged from Italy last night that he was arriving at Celtic Park on a season-long loan (Di Marzio).
However, in a pleasing twist, Sky Sports report that Celtic are trying to negotiate the option of a permanent transfer into the move.
That may prove difficult at such short notice, but it’s a route we’ve used before when bringing talents like Odsonne Edouard to the club.
Reporter Anthony Joseph believes Milan are looking for a fee of as much as £9m for the player.
Laxalt has been a prominent player in Italy for seven years following a switch from his homeland. He’s made 170 Serie A appearances in total for Milan, Genoa, Torino, Empoli and Bologna.
Also winning 24 caps with Uruguay and playing a big part in their World Cup run two years ago, there’ll be an expectation he has the quality to make a massive impact in the Scottish Premiership.
He played all 90 minutes of the South American nation’s tournament wins over Russia and Portugal, as they progressed to the quarter-final before defeat to France.
Celtic have been on the hunt for a left wing-back option since Boli Bolingoli’s secret trip to Spain and subsequent loan.
With just Greg Taylor available we need more competition and, for some supporters, an outright upgrade on the former Kilmarnock player.
Laxalt looks like a quality acquisition and, hopefully, he finds the form he showed at Genoa before his £13m switch to Milan.
Getting this one over the line would be a fine end to a brilliant transfer window.
In other news, Charlton boss Lee Bowyer has revealed a third bid from Celtic was lodged for Alfie Doughty.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
