Celtic are in discussions with Royal Antwerp to sign right-back Aurelio Buta, transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has reported today.
Romano reckons Buta has joined Brandon Soppy of Rennes as an option for the Bhoys.
It comes as the club look to be closing in on the signing of Rubin Kazan central defender Carl Starfelt.
Romano was the journalist who broke the Starfelt news, which has since been corroborated by sources in Sweden. He’s generally considered to be a reliable transfer newshound across Europe. So the Buta link is definitely of interest.
Buta is an exciting attacking right-back who makes sense as a Celtic signing both from an ability and style standpoint, as well as profile.
Still just 24, he’s been gaining excellent experience in the Belgian top-flight after coming through the Benfica academy and B team.
Buta also has Europa League pedigree and helped his side to the round of 32 of the competition last season, where they lost to rivals Rangers.
For me, that should put him above Soppy in our transfer pecking order. We need players with experience and confidence to come in and hit the ground running at Celtic.
Buta, a formal Portugal U20 international, appears to already have the credentials to perform consistently in the Scottish Premiership and European competition.
Celtic still badly need a right-back in the door with Anthony Ralston still our first-choice option.
Any arrival will be too late for Tuesday’s Midtjylland test but the sooner a player of quality arrives, the better.
In other news, new Celtic boss leaves Ewan Henderson “buzzing”.
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