Celtic have opened talks with Chelsea over a season-long loan for left-back Landon Emenalo, with the 18-year-old spotted at Lennoxtown as the club looks to add cover for Kieran Tierney.
Celtic have opened talks with Chelsea over a deal to sign left-back Landon Emenalo, with the teenager in Glasgow on Wednesday to discuss a temporary move to Parkhead.
According to FootballTransfers, Emenalo was in the city to speak with Celtic, while The Herald reports that the clubs are closing in on a one-year loan agreement. He was also spotted at Lennoxtown training ground on Wednesday.
Emenalo is viewed as an important addition because Celtic have no natural alternative to Tierney at left-back. Tierney’s injury record means his minutes may need to be managed, making additional depth in the position useful.
Chelsea Academy Product Turned Full-Back
Emenalo, the son of former Chelsea director of football Michael Emenalo, is an England U19 international who developed through Chelsea’s academy. Naturally a central midfielder, he has typically been deployed as a defender over the past 12 months and has grown into a left-back.
He is comfortable in possession, able to progress the ball through carries from deep and capable in one-on-one defensive situations out wide. Emenalo has also impressed Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso in pre-season, with a loan move offering the prospect of regular first-team football.
What It Means for the Squad
If completed, Emenalo would be Celtic’s fourth new arrival of the summer after Camilo Duran, Kasper Hogh and Haiseem Hassan. He would also be the club’s first loan signing of the window and its first defensive addition.
The proposed move would provide cover at left-back while allowing Celtic to manage Tierney’s workload. Nothing has been signed, but reports indicate that the clubs are closing in on an agreement.
Mon The Hoops.
