The Scottish Sun is reporting that according to TeamTalk, Celtic are in the reckoning to sign Middlesbrough’s centre-back Dael Fry. The 21-year-old defender has been impressive for Boro this season and has played a crucial role in keeping it tight at the back.
The Teessiders have just shipped in 8 goals in the 17 leagues games so far (before tonight’s game), and Rodgers could do with a solid defender like him. However, there is going to be fierce competition for the centre-back as Premier league heavyweights like Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are also in the mix to sign him.
Celtic have been on the lookout for a defender for quite a while now. They were heavily linked with Scott McKenna in the summer, but nothing came about that deal. The Bhoys can lose Filip Benkovic in January as Leicester City have an option of recalling their defender and Dedryck Boyata is also likely to leave by next summer. Therefore a defender is expected to be on the club’s shopping list in January.
Fry came through Boro’s academy and made his senior team debut when he was just 17. After being in and out of the first team for the past two seasons, it seems like he has firmly established himself as a regular starter this season under Tony Pulis.
Standing at 6ft4inches, the defender is a monster in the air, and that could be one of the reasons why Rodgers is keen on him. The defender has been a regular feature for England at various youth levels, and we wouldn’t be wrong in saying that he could be a future England international. The likes of Jozo Simunovic and Jack Hendry have underperformed so far and it seems like both of them would require more time to settle in at the club. Someone like Fry has all the ingredients to be an instant hit.
A source from the Teessiders said that the club wouldn’t be looking to sell him. The source said,”Dael is very happy at Boro and he is enjoying playing under Tony Pulis, and the club don’t need to sell – so there is little appetite at the club to listen to any offers. Boro are aware of the clubs looking at Dael, but that is nothing new and they are confident he won’t be pushing for a move himself.”
Given that Middlesbrough are in line to get promoted to the Premier League and with Premier League heavyweights vying for his signature, the Hoops are going to find it hard to lure him at Celtic Park. However, if the player wants to play European football and be a regular starter, moving to Glasgow won’t be a bad idea.
