Report: Linfield talent eyed by Celtic in the summer to leave in January

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Linfield’s Celtic-linked right-back Trai Hume is to leave the Northern Irish club in January, according to the Belfast Telegraph.

Belfast Live reported after the summer deadline day that Celtic were one of several clubs linked with an interest in the player’s services. However, despite that, the teenager stayed put in his homeland.

However, Belfast Telegraph believe the player is set to leave in the new year. It’s claimed that Sunderland are planning to step up their own interest in the player whilst Lincoln City have already submitted an offer.

There was no specific mention of Celtic in the report, with Burnley and Ipswich Town also mentioned as interested parties.

Hume has contineud to be a regular for Linfield this season, and has made 21 appearances in all competitions for David Healy’s side [Transfermarkt].

Healy has already warned that Linfield won’t be selling their prized asset on the cheap, claiming earlier this year that “those days are gone” [Belfast Telegraph].

Celtic move for Trai Hume not looking as likely as it once did

Hume is clearly in demand at the moment. And if the English lower league clubs interested in his services are serious, it’s unlikely they’ll be met with much resistance from the Hoops.

The fact is we have more than enough quality in the right-back positions at the moment. With Anthony Ralston and Josip Juranovic available for selection, it’s difficult to see where the opportunities would come from for Hume.

The Linfield talent has been getting regular football albeit at hardly the greatest level in the Northern Irish Premiership. But his next move at 19 should see him leave for a club where more senior football is on the cards. That doesn’t feel as though it’s going to be at Celtic.

There hasn’t appeared to be any movement from the Hoops since the summer on this either. He hasn’t been mentioned as a player Celtic are stepping things up for. And when you look at our squad, a move for Hume is hardly a top priority.

Of course, who knows? We did make the surprising move to sign Liam Scales in the summer despite already having a host of left-back options available. If Ange Postecoglou believes the Linfield talent is one for the future then a move has merit.

But it seems, for now, as if there are other parties more keen to get a deal done here than Celtic. We’ll see what happens next month.

In other news, Giorgos Giakoumakis should be closing in on imminent Celtic return after injury woe