According to Polish publication Gazeta Wyborcza, Celtic are set to target Lech Poznan’s right back Robert Gumny. The Hoops have been linked with a plethora of right backs in the past two months but they haven’t yet signed a fullback and time is running out for them. It is about time the club finalises a deal for a fullback in the next few days. The report also claims that Celtic are valuing the Polish under-21 international at £4.3m and are willing to pay that amount.
Gumny was close to joining Borussia Monchengladbach in the summer of 2018 but the deal collapsed. The report also suggests that Poznan are willing to hold on to their prized asset this month. However, we believe an offer of over £4m could tempt the Polish outfit to sell.
Gumny is a typical modern-day fullback as he likes to play further up the pitch and can even turn out as a wide midfielder when required. To go with that, the defender has previously filled in as a left back for his side. The youngster has decent dribbling skills, and one can understand why Rodgers is willing to spend such an amount for a young player like Gumny.
The Northern Irish manager wants his fullbacks to provide an attacking outlet, and we often see the likes of Kieran Tierney and Mikael Lustig spending most of their time in the attacking half of the pitch. Gumny has so far missed the chunk of the season because of knee surgery, but he is slowly getting back to his best.
Poznan have him under contract until the summer of 2021, so they are in a strong position to negotiate. It remains to be seen whether the Polish outfit would be willing to sell the defender for the quoted amount.
Mikael Lustig has been a major weak link at the back for the Bhoys and the Swedish international is in the final six months of his contract. Christian Gamboa too has been below par in his performances, and there are no indications yet whether Celtic would offer either of the two a chance to extend their stay at Celtic Park beyond the summer. Therefore the club might lose two right backs after the end of this season.
Gumny might take some time to get to terms with the physicality of the Scottish League, but overall we feel he would be a decent signing given his talent and potential. Hopefully, from Celtic’s point of view, they would finally seal the deal for a right back after chasing several fullbacks since the last summer.
