He’s done well so far at Paradise since being ousted from AC Milan, and Celtic’s adoring left-back could very well be here to stay.
Truth be told, many players have been signed for the long-term gaping hole that Kieran Tierney left last summer, when the Bhoys’ fan joined Arsenal, and many have failed. Boli Bolingoli came – and went straight back out on loan again – when it was obvious he wasn’t up to the task, and following his ridiculous decision to breach COVID regulations, it was obvious that someone else was needed to plug the gap.
Greg Taylor was also bought to fill in, and despite being the better of the two options, it was obvious that the man from Kilmarnock is a decent option as a squad player but isn’t quite at the level required to replace KT. Someone with more experience was needed.
Enter Diego Laxalt, who despite having played for AC Milan on the wing, was seen as a more than adequate option at left-back in attempting to shore up Celtic’s gap on the flank. Diego has settled into life very well in Glasgow, becoming a regular starter for Neil Lennon in the league and showing glimpses of the quality which earned him a move to Milan – he’s played 1,285 minutes of a possible 1,530 for the famous Green and White, chipping in with one goal away at Hibernian.
And, according to Sky Sports’ transfer crazy presenter, Dharmesh Sheth, Laxalt may just be staying permanently in Glasgow if the Hoops’ are successful in landing the Uruguayan on a cut-price deal this summer.
Speaking on the Sky Sports ‘Transfer Talk’ podcast, Sheth alluded to Celtic’s stability in the transfer market by linking Laxalt with Lennon’s men.
“Diego Laxalt could be available for a cut-price deal this summer. He joined from AC Milan on deadline day in October, you’ll remember, but an option to buy clause was not inserted in the deal.”
“Milan, at the time, valued him at £9 million, but they are keen to offload him and will consider, we’re told, lowering that valuation to secure a sale to Celtic.”
With I Rossoneri already boasting wide men Samu Castillejo, Jens Petter Hauge, Brahim Diaz and Hakan Calhanoglu who are ahead of Laxalt in the pecking order for a left wing spot, it would make sense for the Montivideo-born man to move to pastures new – and what better place to start afresh properly than Paradise.
