According to a report from French journalist Manu Lonjon, Celtic are interested in signing Rennes’ right-back Brandon Soppy. The fullback is yet to make a first-team appearance for the Ligue 1 outfit. However, the Scottish Sun adds that his price tag is already in the region of £7m.
RB Leipzig though are said to be keener on the defender at the moment. Nice are also said to be in the mix. Soppy is currently a France u-18 international, and he has been playing for Rennes’ youth team. Soppy is even able to play as a centre-back when required.
Does Celtic need a new right-back?
Celtic currently have Jeremie Frimpong and Hatem Abd Elhamed as the two primary options who can play at right-back. The Hoops aren’t playing in a traditional back four these days as Lennon has preferred the 3-5-2 formation. James Forrest usually ends up playing as the right wing-back in that formation.
Frimpong and Elhamed have impressed this season, so it’s hard to see Lennon spending big on a new right-back in the future. The Bhoys will likely lose the services of Moritz Bauer, who is only on loan from Stoke City. He has featured sporadically this season and is mostly seen as the third choice right-back when everyone is fit.
Kristoffer Ajer has also shown his versatility by playing at right-back on some occasions this season. Hence, it wouldn’t make much sense for Lennon to go all out for a new right-sided fullback with plenty of options at his disposal.
However, Soppy can be seen as an option for the future as he is yet to make his senior team debut. The 18-year-old attracted interest from Premier League club Wolves in November last year.
Soppy has impressed at the youth setup with his defensive attributes and ability to carry the ball forward. Like most modern-day fullbacks, Soppy likes to attack, and he can cover the ground swiftly down the right. However, he is being seen as a dependable defender as well. He seems a committed defender as he likes to throw his body on the line to make last-ditch tackles and interceptions.
Brandon Soppy would have been worth considering if he was available for a lower price or if Celtic desperately needed a right-back. Frimpong and Elhamed are reliable options to have, and we don’t see Lennon going out of his way to bring him in. RB Leipzig are anyway being seen as the team that are moving swiftly to acquire Soppy’s services.
