Aberdeen's Luis Duk Lopes could interest Ange Postecoglou

Will Ange Postecoglou look closer to home for any possible new recruits? With the season coming to a close, transfer targets will have been identified for next season and I’m sure Ange has cast the net far and wide to identify any possible new recruits. I wonder though, is there anyone closer to home who is on Ange’s radar?

Ange has worked wonders in the transfer market in his time here, he has of course used his knowledge of the Japanese market to great effect in strengthening his squad, but in terms of Scottish based players Ange has only recruited one player plying his trade on these shores and that is Benjamin Siegrest from Dundee United.

Benjamin Siegrest in action for Celtic in Australia

Could that change anytime soon? Well one player he could be interested in is Aberdeen’s Luis Henriques de Barros Lopes aka Duk. The Portuguese born Cape Verde international striker has had a terrific season with the Dons scoring 18 goals and assisting 6. The boy will be attracting the attentions of many sides, that is in no doubt.

As well as knowing where the goal is, he is strong and pacy, and can play anywhere in a front three. Everything Ange looks for in a player. He must have caught his eye. With Liel Abada looking likely to leave, a player like Duk would be the perfect replacement.

Luis Duk Lopes 11 of Aberdeen during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Ross County and Aberdeen at the Global Energy Stadium, Dingwall, on 14 April 2023. Photo Stephen Dobson PSI

Aberdeen will want big money for him as he’s contracted until 2025, and rightly so. We demand top dollar for our players so it’s only right Aberdeen do likewise. They sold Scott McKenna and Lewis Ferguson for a combined £5 million not so long ago, so they will make sure they get what they want.

Realistically a bid of around £3.5 million would secure the player. Maybe even a sweetener by throwing in Liam Scales as part of any deal?

Luis Duk Lopes of Aberdeen scores a goal 1-0 and celebrates, during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Aberdeen and Kilmarnock at Pittodrie Stadium, on 8 April 2023. Photo Stephen Dobson PSI

The player himself has commented before on his desire to play in England, but we can offer Champions League football and he played in the same Benfica youth side as Jota so maybe that along with Ange’s charm could persuade him to make the move to Glasgow.

That’s of course if Ange is interested at all, I’m just speculating, but it’s something that you can’t rule out. He seems to have all the attributes Ange looks for in a player. Ange will of course have a list of targets he intends to get. If Duk is one of them, only time will tell.

JustAnOrdinaryBhoy – follow on Twitter @ordinarybhoy