If reports from Italy (Tuttosport and MediaSet as cited by Glasgow Live) are believed to be true, Celtic are assessing the option of tying Diego Laxalt down on permanent terms in a cut-price deal. The Uruguayan joined on loan from AC Milan last summer, but the Serie A giants are ready to offload the left fullback now despite spending a fee in the region of £13m to secure his services three years back.
Laxalt earned the attention for his resolute display in the 2018 FIFA World Cup and eventually earned the high-profile Milan move from Genoa. Meanwhile, his minutes were limited at San Siro with Theo Hernandez and Ricardo Rodríguez ahead in the pecking order and a summer loan to Torino was sanctioned in order to attain game-time elsewhere. But his stint with the Granata turned out to be a short-lived one as he was recalled on the winter deadline day following Rodriguez’s exit.
The 28-year-old La Celeste international was supposed to grab a regular spot at Parkhead but often lost his place to Greg Taylor under Neil Lennon’s regime. Yet he has 24 appearances to his name across competitions [stats via Transfermarket] and fired in a dramatic injury-time equalizer against Hibernian early into the campaign. Interim chief John Kennedy has handed him a starting role and his balanced display down the left-hand flank seems to have impressed the board.
Why Celtic Should Rope Laxalt In A Cut-price Deal
Laxalt will be a free agent next summer and Milan, therefore, are likely to accept a cut-price figure over losing him for nothing by the end of the upcoming term. Finding Lennon’s long-term successor remains a priority but, at the same time, the Hoops are working on an array of deals that could be triggered en route to scripting a squad overhaul prior to next season.
Milan, too, have shown steady improvement under Stefano Pioli. The glimpses of good old days were depicted in initial rounds and a shrewd business model might help them reclaim the scudetto in the forthcoming future. Laxalt does not fit in the manager’s plan and the Bhoys, thus, should explore this opportunity considering the player’s experience and expertise as a left fullback, wingback as well as a traditional left midfielder.
In spite of struggling initially to attune to the Scottish game, the Uruguayan has settled down of late at Celtic Park. A disastrous season saw them losing the coveted Premiership crown to bitter rivals Rangers and Laxalt, being a part of the current set-up, must uplift the show to regain the lost status.
