If a recent report from the German outlet 4-4-2 is believed to be true, Celtic are keeping close tabs on Xaver Schlager, the RB Leipzig midfielder, who will be a free agent in the summer window. But the Hoops are not alone in the hunt, with AS Roma and Juventus also monitoring his situation at Red Bull Arena.
The Bundesliga heavyweights would listen to offers of around £4.3m rather than losing him for nothing six months later, and the minuscule fee could now alert his suitors, including the Glasgow giants.
The 28-year-old Austrian international progressed through the academy ranks of SC St. Valentin and Red Bull Salzburg before the latter sanctioned his exit to feeder club FC Liefering in the second division. There, he flourished with first-team minutes and eventually earned a regular status in the Salzburg midfield.
Road To Leipzig
Wolfsburg roped him in the summer of 2019, but he joined league rivals Leipzig three years later, when they snapped him up for £10m, activating the release clause of his Die Wölfe contract. Schlager has so far appeared 94 times for them, with 4 goals and 9 assists [stats via Transfermarket] across competitions, but the German side are lining up alternatives if they fail to tie him down to a new contract.
Alongside AC Milan‘s Ardon Jashari and Rocco Reitz of Mönchengladbach, Celtic ace Arne Engels has also emerged as a potential target for RB Leipzig. However, the Belgian’s willingness to stay at Parkhead and work under Martin O’Neill must be a significant boost in their battle for the Premiership crown.
Why Celtic Need Another Towering Midfielder
Yet they must keep working towards strengthening the squad. A host of names are doing the rounds in the rumour mill, but the attack and defence are the priority spots, according to the transfer reports. Nevertheless, the Celts should not let go of the market opportunities, considering the availability of the midfield maestro on a cut-price deal.
The champions of Scotland are well-equipped in the centre of the pitch, with skipper Callum McGregor and Engels driving their game as deep-lying playmakers. The ‘double pivot’ in O’Neill’s 4-2-3-1 has restored composure after Wilfried Nancy’s 33-day nightmare, and the veteran Irishman has also deployed Paulo Bernardo, who has been the understudy to the first-team duo.
Having said that, they should sign Schlager to add depth and quality in the middle of the park. Neither of Reo Hatate, Luke McCowan and Benjamin Nygren is suitable for the ‘number 6’ role. Also, the Scottish hotshots must find a successor to skipper Callum McGregor, who will turn 33 in the summer. The Austrian is held in high regard both at his club and in the country, and his arrival at Lennoxtown would be a statement if Celtic pull off the deal in due time.
