Brendan Rodgers is planning to raid the Premier League but this time it’s not Liverpool. The gaffer is reportedly planning to bring Adnan Januzaj of Manchester United to Celtic Park in the summer to build his team for the next season.
Januzaj was on loan at Sunderland but couldn’t contribute anything substantial and the Black Cats submerged to the Championship. Once touted as one of the most promising players at Old Trafford, he subsequently went on to disappear as he has not been able to produce anything new for the Red Devils.
He was shipped to Borussia Dortmund on loan but didn’t turn up for the German side. United eventually called him back in January 2016. Jose Mourinho has not given him a plethora of chances as the Portuguese gaffer is not entirely convinced about his talent. The Belgian prodigy has shown some flashes of brilliance this season but as a whole, he has been a flop this season too.
Celtic would like to replicate their form of last season but alongside this, they would also prefer to have a longer stay in the Champions League. The Bhoys have not been able to produce the form in the European tournament as they crashed out from the group stage last season and Rodgers would be looking to rectify this thing.
In the past, we have seen that the ex-Liverpool manager is very comfortable when it comes to working with the youngsters. At Liverpool, Raheem Sterling burst onto the scene under his tutelage and similarly, Patrick Roberts has hit the right notes this season at Celtic.
Roberts was on loan from Manchester City and Celtic have been trying to seal a permanent move for him. If somehow they fail to ink a deal for the player, Januzaj’s chances would be higher for a move.
The 22-year-old burst onto the scene in 2013 when David Moyes was in charge of the Red Devils but since then he hasn’t done anything extraordinary to elevate his stature. Despite his off form, the Belgian teenager remains a very lucrative prospect for the Bhoys. At Sunderland, he was asked to help defensively but at Celtic, he will be able to show his creative side more prominently. Rodgers believes in a more natural style of display and Janujaz could use this situation to thrive in Scotland.
The likes of Moussa Dembele and Patrick Roberts have already proved their efficiency in their first season and Janujaz could follow suit soon. Celtic might opt for a loan deal with an option to buy and United wouldn’t mind letting him go.
