As Celtic have stepped up their summer recruitment in the past couple of days, one of the names being linked with a move to Celtic Park is Brazilian Vinicius Souza. Souza, 24, is currently with Lommel in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League currently, having previously been at K.V Mechelen.

Steven Defour – formerly of Burnley, Standard Liege, Porto, Anderlecht, Genk and Mechelen – raved about defensive midfielder Souza, in an interview with Belgian publication HLN. The ex-international, who represented his country a total of 52 times, might know a thing or two about Vinicius’ potential having played the same position as the man 60% owned by the City Group.

He reckons the sky is the limit for the young midfielder and reckons he needs to take the next step to aid his development. He said to HLN:

Mechelen’s Alec Van Hoorenbeeck and Mechelen’s Vinicius Souza looks dejected during a soccer match between KV Mechelen and KAA Gent, Tuesday 10 May 2022 in Mechelen, on day 4 (out of 6) of the ‘Europe’ play-offs of the ‘Jupiler Pro League’ first division of the Belgian championship. BELGA PHOTO DAVID PINTENS (Photo by DAVID PINTENS / BELGA MAG / Belga via AFP) (Photo by DAVID PINTENS/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)

“Vini can make a great career. He can perfectly join a Belgian or Dutch top club. But perhaps the middle or sub-top of the Premier League is the ideal step. There he will be challenged. He needs that to keep making progress.

“This season, we already saw that sometimes it was too easy for him, and then there was nonchalance in his game. Where his ceiling is, is difficult to estimate. But he has the qualities to make it at the top of Europe. Vini is head and shoulders above the rest this season. He breaks down an incredible number of attacks. In addition, many of our attacks start through his foot.”

That is quite the endorsement from Defour, who is currently assistant manager at Mechelen – who coincidentally now boast former Celtic player Marian Shved amongst their ranks. By the description of his qualities recorded in his interview, it sounds exactly like the kind of midfield player we have been screaming out for for quote some time now.

Whether a deal can be struck with the Brazilian and his representatives remains to be seen.

Paul Gillespie