Celtic will have to move fast if they hold any hope of signing hotly pursued Mahamadou Diawara in the January transfer window…
Glasgow, 3rd October 2024. Mahamadou Diawara of Olympique Lyonnais during Lyon’s UEFA Europa League 4-1 win at Ibrox: Photo Neil Hanna Sportimage
The Olympique Lyonnais midfielder has been strongly touted for a move to Celtic Park since last summer and there is still murmuring that Brendan Rodgers is looking at the French player.
Diawara is a powerful, ball-winning midfielder
It’s no secret that the Bhoys need a more physical type of profile in the midfield area and Rodgers himself has said since he came back to the club he wants to see more power in the side. As good as the options are at the moment, there is no getting away from the fact that there is nobody in the mould of a Victor Wanyama at the club presently and certain results have highlighted the need for it of late.
Mahamadou Diawara of Olympique Lyon passes the ball during the UEFA Europa League match between theRangers and Olympique Lyonnais at Ibrox on October 03, 2024.. Photo Richard Callis, Panoramic
Diawara is looking for more game time away from Lyon
Meanwhile, 21-year-old Diawara is desperately looking for more game time away from Lyon and is on the lookout for the right club where he can develop and get those much needed games his young and aspiring talent deserves. The Celtic Star reported that French publication, Foot Mercato, revealed that Reims had made a play for the athletic engine-room operator in the past fee days and it now looks like others have joined the race for his signature.
Duje Caleta-Car, Corentin Tolisso, Mahamadou Diawara and Maxence Caqueret of Olympique Lyonnais acknowledge the fans after the UEFA Europa League 4-1 victory in the match between theRangers and Olympique Lyonnais at Ibrox on October 3, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
According to the same outlet, Diawara has now been the subject of a loan bid from Swiss side, Servette, who like Reims have bid for a simple loan deal with no option-to-buy included in the potential transfer. Although it is stated that the youngster is mulling over his options at the moment and has not decided on where his future lies. Even so, he is not short of choices now and if Brendan Rodgers and his staff truly believe he will improve the current midfield, they would be wise to move quickly for Diawara.
Paul Gillespie
Ross County v Celtic in Dingwall. Photo Vagelis Georgariou
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Ross County v Celtic in Dingwall. Photo Vagelis Georgariou
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As much as I agree that such a player would be beneficial for ourselves, think it could be a case of timing?
At present, it looks like Paulo has got the rotation job for calmac even if very rarely used.
Could well be in the making for Dundee on Tuesday, so allows for calmac to be rested?
But how long can we expect calmac to be given the amount of playing minutes he currently does, beyond this season?
Would say it’s going to start reducing, so a potential replacement has to be considered.
Also if Rodgers has any intentions of changing the team set up, then such a player will possibly be required?
With expecting Hatate to be moving on in the summer, calmac could well do the Hatate role also, so it’s not like there isn’t space for such a type of player within our squad either imo?
Whether this particular player is that type of player, we could be looking for, is a totally different story altogether at present?