Although the outcome of the current term is yet to be decided amid SPFL’s voting chaos and alleged conspiracy, Celtic are working tirelessly behind the scenes to settle themselves up for the upcoming season. The game is suspended in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, but the Hoops remain active in the market. They are now linked with yet another youth prospect.
According to The Scottish Sun, Celtic are monitoring the situation of Rodrigo Riquelme. This 20-year-old Atletico Madrid prodigy is available on a Bosman transfer at the end of the ongoing campaign.
Career Highlights So Far
The young Spaniard joined the Rojiblancos academy ranks at the age of 10 following a couple of brief stints at Real Zaragoza and Rayo Vallecano. There he impressed down the wide and eventually earned his first-team debut last year against Eibar. Diego Simeone brought him in once more against minnows CyD Leonesa back in January which, however, ended up in a shocking Copa Del Rey third-round exit.
Riquelme, meanwhile, is regular for the Atletico reserves who are currently competing in the third tier of the Spanish football league system. He looked impressive in Europe too while featuring in the UEFA Youth League and Celtic, having scouted him extensively for months, are reportedly impressed by his influence on the pitch.
The youngster, so far, has fired in seven goals and laid on six assists in 30 appearances altogether (stats via Transfermarket) before the lockdown and is hailed for his versatility across the frontline. Predominantly a right-winger, Riquelme has depicted his creativity from the left as well as a ‘false 9’ week in and week out. His arrival would boost the Bhoys high up the pitch, particularly after a couple of winter exits and the potential summer departures.
Why Celtic Should Step Up The Chase
Both Scott Sinclair and Lewis Morgan left the club in January while Marian Shved is not at all in Neil Lennon’s plan. Jonny Hayes’ contract runs down in summer whereas there’s still uncertainty whether Mohamed Elyounoussi’s loan move would be made permanent following a series of injury concerns.
This has left the Hoops with James Forrest and Michael Johnston as the only assured first-team names down the wide and the club, therefore, must aim for significant reinforcements to avoid any setback in their ‘nine/ten in a row’ mission. Rangers would be determined to spoil their party for obvious reasons, but the rivalry between these two famous Old Firm outfits would be deadlier next season for the neutrals.
