According to the latest reports from the Daily Record, Manchester City have made their move for 20-year-old midfielder Jose Cifuentes. Celtic are also said to be in the race for the Ecuadorian player, but it is the Premier League champions who have made a formal offer for the midfielder. A deal could be thrashed out in the next few hours.
This should come as a body blow for Neil Lennon as not too long ago he had confirmed that Cifuentes was on club’s radar. In fact, reports earlier had claimed that Celtic might have the edge over Manchester City in signing the powerhouse of a midfielder. But now it seems to us that the Hoops’ lackadaisical approach has given the Citizens a lead as they have made a formal approach for the player.
It is said that Lennon is still keen to add a midfielder after missing out on David Turnbull from Motherwell. However, it seems like it’s going to be another situation of so near yet so far for the Bhoys. Cifuentes played a stellar role for the South American side in the recently concluded u-20 World Cup where Ecuador finished third.
How can Celtic still edge this?
Given the options which City have, it is unlikely that Cifuentes would come close to first-team football. Therefore that is one thing which might still go Celtic’s way in their bid to lure the midfielder as they are more likely to hand him chances in the first team.
Celtic and City also share a healthy relationship in the transfer market, so maybe Manchester City could send Cifuentes on loan to the Scottish champions after signing him. That wouldn’t be ideal, but it would be better than no signing.
What can the midfielder bring to Celtic Park?
The Ecuadorian is a defensive-minded midfielder, but he can play in a box to box role as well. He is yet to be tested out of his homeland at the club level, but due to his strong performance at the World Cup, he won some major plaudits.
Cifuentes is known to be a powerful and energetic runner with impressive technical qualities. The 20-year-old can make tackles and interceptions, but what makes him stand out is his on the ball ability. That is one of the primary reason why even a club of Manchester City’s stature is interested in him.
The midfielder can be a long term replacement for someone like Scott Brown. However, with City already making a formal approach for the midfielder, Lennon might be edging towards losing out on another target.
