Signing a new contract can sometimes be done to allow your current club to get a bigger fee for you, but it usually means that you don’t have any plans on going anywhere for at least a year.
Greg Taylor has taken over as the first choice left back in recent weeks although he picked up an injury against Ross County, so this could be Diego Laxalt’s last chance to convince Celtic to bring him back next season.
He’s not been dreadful and his tenacious approach to defending can be positive at times, but he also has the ability to inflict chaos on his teammates by going walkabout or simply not sticking with his man.
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He’s also on loan from AC Milan so you have to think it will take a sizeable transfer fee and wage packet to keep him permanently, so it doesn’t make too much sense for a player who might be a second choice wing back.
If the plan is to go with Taylor going forward then it would be wise to bring in a developmental prospect who is happy to take a back up role for now, and Hibs defender Josh Doig looks like a good fit.
He’s full of energy and he can use both feet so that adds an added threat when he pushes forward, while he’s also aggressive in defence so there’s plenty to work with there.
HITC have reported that Celtic are one of several huge clubs chasing after him, but Hibs are reluctant to sell just now despite a possible asking price of £1m.
It’s also suggested that Hibs are closing in on a contract extension which would make a summer move even more unlikely, so it could be a case of moving quickly if he is a key target.
£1m would be relatively cheap for a player who’s looked good in the Premiership and he clearly has the potential to be a very good player, so he looks like a strong target if the plan is to move on from Laxalt.