According to the latest reports from the Daily Mail, Celtic are in the race with Huddersfield Town to sign Ipswich Town’s talented right back Dylan Crowe. The youngster is set to be out of contract soon, and he could be available for just £500,000, to be paid as a compensation fee. The Terriers offered £300,000, but Ipswich rejected that proposal.
Huddersfield Town are considered to be the front runners, but Celtic and RB Leipzig are still in the race. The 18-year-old was even linked with the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal in the past. Crowe is predominantly a right-back, but he has also played in midfield for Ipswich Town’s youth team.
Why does Celtic need to sign a right back?
The youngster is currently an England u-18 international having represented the Three Lions in other age levels as well. Celtic desperately need a right back in the summer as their veteran fullback Mikael Lustig’s contract is likely to run out. Jeremy Toljan and Cristian Gamboa are also set to depart from the club, and Neil Lennon would need to add reinforcements to solve their issue.
Why might Crowe not be a first-team option yet?
The Hoops have been linked with plenty of right backs in the past year, but they haven’t been able to secure their target. Crowe seems like a top class upcoming talent, but questions will remain whether he would be able to deliver the goods in the Premiership. The Bhoys don’t need an upcoming player as they want someone who can play in the first team regularly.
Crowe is yet to make his senior team debut for an Ipswich Town side that got relegated from the Championship. Therefore the youngster is still used to playing in the youth setup only as of now. Thus if the Bhoys are seeing him as a first-team option, then they should look at someone more experienced.
Why should Celtic look to sign him?
Nevertheless, the club should go ahead and look to sign the English fullback as he can blossom into a top player in a few years with the first-team experience. Celtic have a history of providing opportunities to youngsters, and the team is desperately in need of a right back. Crowe might be able to get a decent run in the first team if he makes a move to Celtic Park.
The youngster is known to have impressive pace and on the ball qualities which even helps him play as a wide or central midfielder. For just a compensation fee, this could be a decent signing for Lennon. However, it wouldn’t solve his immediate right back problems as the player will need some time to settle in as he has no experience of football at the top level.
