According to the latest reports from the Daily Mail, Celtic have launched a £6m raid for Atlanta’s right back Timothy Castagne. The Belgian fullback has two appearances for the national team as well, and Celtic can be looking towards him as a long-term replacement for Mikael Lustig.
The 23-year-old has made 13 appearances in all competitions this season for the Serie A outfit, but it seems like he doesn’t share the best of relationship with their manager Gian Piero Gasperini. Not too long ago he was quoted as saying (Daily Mail),”I spoke more with (Belgium coach) Roberto Martinez in one day than I spoke in a year and a half with Gasperini. I need playing time to stay. Everything can go very fast in the world of football.”
The fullback has a contract with the Italian outfit until 2020, but it seems clear that other clubs could persuade him in January. The defender has been used nine times in the Serie A, but he has not managed to establish himself in the first team. Celtic are expected to step up their transfer efforts after the Old Firm derby and Castagne is likely to be on their radar.
Mikael Lustig can open up pre-contract talks with Swedish outfit AIK in January, and he could leave the club when his contract expires in the summer. The 31-year-old has definitely been one of the weak points at the club in the past few months, and there have been calls from Celtic fans to replace him as soon as possible.
The Sweden international joined the Hoops in 2012, and he has been more than a loyal servant for the club. Even now, his determination and passion for playing for Celtic cannot be doubted but it’s evident that his powers have been waning for some time now. If Brendan Rodgers wants to take this team to the next level, then he needs to look at more younger options.
Castagne is still 23 and is yet to hit his peak. The fact that he has made it to the Belgian national team shows his quality as Belgium are currently the no.1 ranked team according to FIFA. His pace down the right is his major asset, and we feel he can be a dependable addition to the Hoops’ squad in January.
He joined the Italian outfit last summer only but it’s clear that he isn’t satisfied with the game time he is currently getting in Serie A. Given the form of Lustig, Castagne can straightaway replace him in the starting eleven if Rodgers manages to sign him in January. With European games also on the horizon, Rodgers should look to add depth in the right back position soon.
