Celtic’s chase for that elusive defensive midfielder seems to be drawing out a bit of late. With the chase for Vinicius Souza considerably lengthy and bearing no fruit in the end up, the supporters are looking now to the new name that has been mentioned in the aftermath of the courting of Souza – Fausto Vera.
Vera has been linked with a move to Paradise and has similar skill set and physical stature to that of the aforementioned Souza. Now, his chairman at Argentinos Juniors in South America has told a radio station in his homeland of Argentina that the club are willing to sell the player – who is in the final year of his contract – if their demands are met financially.
Argentine midfielder Fausto Vera (L) and Uruguayan forward Juan Ignacio Ramirez jump for the ball during their Under-23 South American Pre-Olympic Tournament football match at Alfonso Lopez stadium, Bucaramanga, Colombia on February 3, 2020. (Photo by Juan BARRETO / AFP) (Photo by JUAN BARRETO/AFP via Getty Images)
Speaking to Radio Punto, as reported by Football Scotland, he said: “As a club, when there is a value that cannot be refused, we have to negotiate. Nobody is irreplaceable. But, equally, it is also a position that we are covered. We are calm if it happens. It is a possibility we sell and then he stays with us (until September) which would be the ideal scenario. But it could be that a club that comes to buy has other ideas. We are working. He has been with us for a long time and we have to be sensitive too. It is not easy.”
Colombia’s midfielder Kevin Balanta (C) and Argentina’s midfielder Fausto Vera (R) vie for the ball during an Under-23 South American Pre-Olympic Tournament football match at Alfonso Lopez stadium, Bucaramanga, Colombia on February 6, 2020. (Photo by Juan BARRETO / AFP) (Photo by JUAN BARRETO/AFP via Getty Images)
Genk have already seen a bid of around £3 million knocked back for the industrious midfielder, but are due to return to the table with another offer. The Celtic Star reported just yesterday that the board at Argentinos Juniors are looking for £5.5 million to part ways this summer with the player. It looks unlikely that Celtic would spend such a sum on somewhat of an unknown quantity after the outlay already spent securing some of Ange’s top targets.
However, never say never in this game..
Paul Gillespie