If a recent report from Mundo Deportivo is believed to be true, Barcelona youngster Alex Valle is set to join Celtic on a season-long loan. The Hoops have been in the hunt for a new left fullback to challenge and cover Greg Taylor, and the 20-year-old Spain youth international could offer more than just a fringe status following last season’s impressive spell with Levante in the second tier of Spanish football.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has shared further details on Valle’s contract status before his potential Glasgow switch.
🚨🟢⚪️ Alex Valle signs new deal with Barcelona until June 2026 and he’s set to join Celtic on loan.
Verbal agreement reached, as @gbsans advanced. Celtic are checking all docs to get it signed early next week. pic.twitter.com/t5XuBXtvTH
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 25, 2024
Having progressed through Gramenet and Sant Gabriel’s academy ranks, the Catalonia-born prospect joined the esteemed set-up of La Masia at the age of 10. He impressed at various youth levels, eventually earning him a short-term loan to Segunda Division outfit FC Andorra in January 2023. Valle enjoyed a productive stint in Levante colours as he appeared 29 times in La Liga2 securing a starting status.
Although he made it among the substitutes in Barca’s league encounters against Athletic Bilbao and Valencia, the rise of Alejandro Balde and Gerard Martin’s advancement have pushed Valle further down the pecking order. A move to Celtic would be a step in the right direction considering the Bhoys’ supremacy in Scotland alongside the temptation of Champions League football.
Why Its A Smart Move From Celtic
The Celts have secured a hefty fee from Matt O’Riley’s transfer to Brighton & Hove Albion. They have invested a chunk of it to secure Adam Idah and Paulo Bernardo on permanent terms. Also, the club are ready to pay Valle’s €1.5m salary while having him at Parkhead for the 2024-25 campaign. They have ample depth and quality across the pitch, except for the left fullback role with Taylor being the only available option.
Celtic tied down Alexandro Bernabéi from Lanus in the summer of 2022. He was supposed to compete with the Scotsman for gametime, but he lacked the physicality and aggression which resulted in a loan exit to Internacional earlier this year.
Valle, who looked promising during Barcelona’s pre-season games, holds a very high ceiling. His release clause has dropped to €3m, a fee well within Celtic’s monetary strength. It remains to be seen whether the Spaniard makes his presence known and grabs a long-term deal in the coming days.
