According to the latest reports from the Daily Record, Celtic will have to scrap it out with Championship heavyweights Leeds United for the signature of Romaine Sawyers. The Brentford midfielder is wanted by the Hoops as well, and reports earlier mentioned that Celtic had a bid of £1.5m rejected for the 27-year-old midfielder.
Why Celtic need a midfielder?
Reports mention that Lennon is keen to add one more attacking midfielder to his repertoire after missing out on the signing of David Turnbull from Motherwell. Australian playmaker Tom Rogic’s future is also up in the air at the moment and Lennon recently blasted Olivier Ntcham for his recent comments on Celtic. The French midfielder looks likely to move away from the club with Ligue 1 clubs interested.
Ryan Christie was the only midfielder who hit the ten goal mark last season, and Lennon would be keen to add an attack-minded dynamic midfielder this season. That is where a player like Sawyers can come in handy. The Bees captain is currently involved with Brentford’s pre-season camp in Austria. The 27-year-old midfielder had come up from West Brom’s academy.
A good bet for Celtic?
The attacking midfielder managed to provide seven assists last season. He might not have scored last season, but the captain was an integral part of the Bees lineup. His close control skills and ability to move out of tight paces are his standout assets.
He can also open up defences with his short passing, and his physical strength is also up there which should stand him in good stead in the Premiership. However, the Saint Kitts and Nevis international can improve on his finishing as he failed to find the back of the net even once in his 46 appearances last campaign. The midfielder will be a decent bet for Celtic as he is an experienced campaigner. The fact that he is the final year of his contract gives Celtic more of a chance to land him.
Threat from Leeds United
The Yorkshire outfit is expected to fight for the Premier League spots so Sawyers’ head could definitely be turned if the Whites want him. Leeds United are yet to make a bid for the midfielder, but they are showing an interest in the 27-year-old. Moreover, quite a few players often prefer to stay in the same division so that they don’t have to adapt to a new country or league. So United can be a tough competition to fend away, but Celtic can offer European football which can make this transfer go their way.
