Despite undergoing a disastrous season leading to Neil Lennon’s exit as the Parkhead chief, the Hoops are already aiming for reinforcements before the upcoming campaign. According to the Daily Record, Celtic want Milan van Ewijk who is enjoying an impressive run in the Eredivisie with ADO Den Haag.
The Dutch sensation was released from Feyenoord’s youth ranks before flourishing through the academy set-up of Excelsior Maassluis. He was then roped in by the Hague back in the summer of 2019 and eventually earned a first-team status this season with 25 appearances. The right fullback has been scouted extensively in recent months, and the likes of Schalke, Hamburg, Darmstadt and Gent are keeping close tabs as well ahead of a potential summer transfer.
Smart From The Hoops?
Although the youngster is concentrating on avoiding a relegation scare, there’s been no talks of a contract extension with less than 18 months left of his current deal at the Cars Jeans Stadion. His agent Style de Jong has not revealed much, but an exit seems inevitable from his recent quotes.
“At the moment Milan is focusing on the relegation battle with Den Haag. He is not distracted by all the interest in him. We have drawn up a step-by-step plan together to make the best choices in his early, but promising career and we will stick to that.”
The reigning champions roped in little-known Jeremie Frimpong from Manchester City for a minuscule figure and granted him a £11.5m move to Bayer Leverkusen one-and-a-half years later. Jonjoe Kenny, on loan from Everton, has been a smart pick this winter as an immediate replacement of the Netherlands youth international. Having said that, Celtic want Milan van Ewijk in the long run to succeed his fellow countryman.
Why Celtic Must Not Rely On Van Ewijk Alone
Irrespective of the Hoops’ intent to get the 20-year-old, they must look to wrap up the deal for Kenny on permanent terms. The Toffees prodigy has slipped down the pecking order behind Seamus Coleman, Mason Holgate and Ben Godfrey following Carlo Ancelotti’s arrival as the Goodison Park chief and is now available for a cut-price deal (as cited by the Liverpool Echo).
Despite showing his potential, Van Ewijk should stay as the understudy to Kenny for the time being (if he makes a move to Celtic) to attune to the physicality and aggression of Scottish football. The challenge would be much bigger at Parkhead, so are the expectations after surrendering the coveted Premiership crown to rivals Rangers.
