As Lubo98 has written today, Celtic have this afternoon completed a double deal for free agent Aaron Mooy and FC Lorient’s ball playing centre-back Moritz Jenz. The news comes after Mooy completed a medical yesterday and Michael Nicholson thrashed out the loan deal with an option-to-buy included for the German defender Jenz.
Ange Postecoglou had claimed that we would see two additional signings within the next week after Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Blackburn Rovers at Celtic Park. Mooy was picked up after his contract was mutually terminated by his club Shanghai Port in the Chinese Super League, whilst Jenz came to the fore again after being on the radar last summer.
Both men will have the chance to mingle with their new teammates and prepare for the first game of the campaign on 31 July versus Jim Goodwin’s Aberdeen at home on Flag Day in Glasgow’s East End. Ange now seems to have got what he needed from the Celtic board but what he wants is still up for debate.
One could argue there is still the need for a more physical profile in the defensive midfield berth, whilst another attacker would not be unwanted to complement Kyogo Furuhashi, Giorgos Giakoumakis and Daizen Maeda up top. However, with a small fortune already being spent thus far, it might not be viable for this Celtic heirarchy to spend more money than what they have already.
There have been several names mentioned in relation to both these aforementioned positions on the park. The highly documented chase of Brazilian Vinicius Souza kept us on alert for weeks just past. Likewise, his South Amercian compatriot Fausto Vera has been widely tipped to leave Argentinos Juniors for Europe; although Genk seem to be in pole position for that one as it stands.
Then there has been the links to Ryan Mmaee and Henrik Larsson’s son Jordan – formerly of Spartak Moscow in Russia. However, cold water was poured on the Larsson Jnr links after his representatives apparently reached out to the Bhoys to give them the heads up and option of a possible relationship with the former Celtic hero’s son.
There is still plenty of time left in this window as the market doesn’t close until 1 September. If something too good to turn down does crop up I’m sure Ange won’t be slow in letting the board and Michael Nicholson know about it. Always looking for value, are the Hoops possibly playing the waiting game to see who becomes available later on in the window?
What’s your thoughts?
Do Celtic have enough with the double signing of Mooy and Jenz?
Or is more needed to make an imprint in the Champions League this season?
Paul Gillespie
I think we only have one space left in our potential 25 man CL squad, looking at players Ange uses frequently and has just signed.
Jullien, Lawal, and other less featured players would need to step aside just to make room for the 8 homegrown players and 17 internationals, if we brought in just one more player with the intention of them making the CL cut, as things stand.
Tbh Jullien has went backwards, and none of the rest of the peripheral players have impressed enough to make the CL squad, bar maybe Kenny, but is he ready, and would the club rather put faith in him over signing a more experienced CF? …i don’t think he’s eligible for the B squad?