Despite missing out on Fausto Vera and Vinicius Souza, Celtic have received a boost in pursuit of Maccabi Haifa star Mohammad Abu Fani. If a report from the Daily Record is believed to be accurate, the Israeli outfit will accept a ‘suitable offer’ from his suitors amid growing interest.
As per the rumours from Israel, the Hoops identified the 24-year-old midfield star as one of their summer targets. However, they are not alone in the hunt and the likes of Eintracht Frankfurt, Standard Liege and Royal Antwerp are expected to rival the champions of Scotland to secure his services this summer.
Fani is available for a minuscule £800,000 fee and the Celts must step up the chase now, particularly after Vera and Souza’s transfer to Espanyol and Corinthians, respectively. They have extensively scouted the Israeli market over the years and a move for the Blue and Whites international should be pursued after success stories with Liel Abada, Nir Bitton and Beram Kayal.
Why Celtic Should Snap Up The Israel International
After progressing through the youth ranks of Haifa, Fani was loaned out to Hapoel Ramat Gan and Hapoel Hadera for assured game-time. Those stints helped him grow in senior football and eventually secure a first-team status at his boyhood club. He has exhibited his mastery in various midfield roles, a trait that would allow the gaffer to add more flexibility in his free-flowing ‘Angeball’.
Celtic have ample options in the centre of the pitch in spite of parting ways with Bitton and Tom Rogic. Ange Postecoglou roped in Reo Hatate, Matt O’Riley and Yosuke Ideguchi back in the winter window; also, the summer arrival of veteran Aaron Mooy should bolster them further ahead of hosting Aberdeen on Sunday afternoon. Fit-again David Turnbull offers more strength for his box-to-box movements and creative spark, moreover, the presence of skipper Callum McGregor as the deep-lying playmaker showcases their depth as well as quality in the middle of the park.
Having said that, they still lack someone who would challenge and cover McGregor in the ‘number six’ role. Ismaila Soro has been loaned out following his miserable spell, whereas experienced James McCarthy is now a forgotten figure irrespective of his Premier League reputation. Liam Shaw and Scott Robertson are not viewed as regulars, and the Bhoys, therefore, should tie down the midfielder before the window is slammed shut.
