If a recent report from Sky Sports’ reporter Florian Plettenberg is believed to be true, Celtic are weighing up a loan move for Junior Adamu ahead of Monday’s deadline day. But they are not alone in the hunt, as the Hoops are engaged in a three-way battle for the versatile SC Freiburg attacker.
The 24-year-old Austria international progressed through the academy setup of GSV Wacker and Grazer AK before joining the esteemed ranks of Red Bull Salzburg back in his homeland. After a brief stint with the reserves, Salzburg sent them to their sister side FC Liefering for regular gametime in the second division.
Rise In Austria, Struggles In Germany
Adamu impressed with his flair and finesse high up the pitch, and the Austrian heavyweights brought him back to Salzburg in favour of a loan move to Swiss outfit St. Gallen. There, he netted 8 times in his short tenure, and the exquisite scoring streak earned him a first-team status at his parent club from the 2021-22 season onwards.
Freiburg tied him down for €6m in the summer of 2023, but the centre-forward has since seen his numbers drop, having scored only 7 times in 67 appearances across competitions [stats via Transfermarket]. With just two goals this season while featuring as a ‘number 9’, Adamu has slipped down the pecking order behind Igor Matanović and Lucas Höler at Europa-Park Stadion.
That said, Adamu has a very high ceiling, and a run of productive games could help him justify his potential. Although he has not yet scored for Das Team, 11 goals in 13 games for Austria U21 demonstrate his poaching prowess upfront. He has also exhibited his flexibility by operating from the flanks, and the Hoops, considering their lack of creativity in attack, would be boosted by his arrival at Celtic Park.
How O’Neill Should Deploy Adamu In Celtic Attack
Martin O’Neill reiterated the necessity of reinforcements amid a three-horse title race with Hearts and Rangers. They have also progressed to the Europa League playoffs; however, it has been an action replay of the summer window in terms of transfer business. The management continue to miss out on top targets, and have left it late once again.
Julian Araujo and Tomáš Čvančara have been roped in on loan from Bournemouth and Borussia Mönchengladbach, respectively. The latter was handed an immediate starting status, thus allowing Daizen Maeda to shift to his preferred left-wing spot. Kelechi Iheanacho and Johnny Kenny are also there to challenge and cover the Czech centre-forward, and Adamu, therefore, could be utilised as a utility attacker. His transitions, movement, and work rate would allow O’Neill to tweak his formation and make dynamic adjustments to the team’s structure, shape, and approach.
