Scottish champions Celtic have already bolstered their ranks forward of the January switch window with the signings of Yuki Kobayashi and Alistair Johnston, though the indication is that the Parkhead giants shall be eyeing additional additions over the approaching weeks.
Manager Ange Postecoglou and head of recruitment Mark Lawwell are seemingly not eager to relaxation on their laurels regardless of the Old Firm outfit’s wholesome, nine-point lead on the high of the Scottish Premiership desk, with the membership’s disappointing Champions League marketing campaign having maybe proven indicators that there’s nonetheless a lot work to be achieved to enhance the present squad.
One space that could be prioritised is within the centre of the park, with current reviews suggesting that the Hoops have put aside ‘significant‘ funds so as to signal a brand new midfield recruit, with securing a defensive-minded asset to display the again 4 seemingly the best goal.
The Glasgow aspect may effectively have discovered the reply to that search within the type of Ferencvaros gem, Aissa Laidouni, with French outlet Foot Mercato reporting earlier this week that the 25-year-old is on Lawwell’s radar.
The piece means that the Bhoys – in addition to Bundesliga aspect Wolfsburg – are all in favour of signing the Tunisian within the New Year, with the Hungarian giants ready to let him depart for a price of round €4m (£3.5m).
The 6-foot sensation at the moment has simply six months remaining on his existing deal on the membership – albeit with the Budapest outfit having the choice of triggering a 12-month extension – with that truth making certain that an exit may effectively be an actual chance within the close to future.
That curiosity from Postecoglou and co comes amid the 28-cap gem’s glowing kind for his nation on the World Cup in current weeks, with the one-time Angers man having loved a “fantastic tournament” in Qatar, within the phrases of author Zach Lowy.
The “midfield revelation” – as described by journalist Maher Mezahi – was an actual standout determine as Tunisia narrowly missed out on development to the knockout levels, having claimed four factors from their three group video games.
Laidouni proved himself a powerful defend in entrance of the backline after averaging one sort out and 1.3 interceptions per sport from his midfield berth, whereas additionally profitable a exceptional 75% of his complete aerial duels as a marker of his imposing dominance.
Not solely an asset defensively, the playmaker additionally recorded one help and registered 1.3 key passes per sport for instance his inventive high quality, with that solitary objective involvement notably coming within the shock win towards holders France within the last group sport.
That show towards the nation of his beginning noticed Laidouni notably report three key passes and in addition offered two interceptions in what was an all-action efficiency, incomes an 8/10 match score from 90min’s Sean Walsh for having taken ‘control of the midfield battle‘.
Such impactful outings on the world stage have rubberstamped the participant’s high quality, with the aforementioned Lowy having said that he “won’t be at Ferencvaros for too much longer” after catching the attention so impressively.
The hope shall be so far as Celtic are involved is that it’s they who’re in a position to win the race for his signature, with Lawwell needing to do all he can to wrap up the deal subsequent month.