Belgian journalist Mich Vergauwen has claimed that Celtic have not agreed on a deal for Aurelio Buta from Royal Antwerp. The Portuguese full-back has been linked with a €3.5m move to Paradise but he started in Antwerp’s second league game of the season at the weekend at home to Kortrijk.
Despite some Scottish rumours, NO deal at all yet between @CelticFC and @official_rafc about Aurélio BUTA#AntwerpFC @hlnsport @VTMNIEUWS @ScotMailSport @mcgowan_stephen @CelticLisboaa @aboutceltic @NoNotThatDevlin @gavinberryDR pic.twitter.com/oCKOwzHjVu
— (MVS) © 📰 (@MichVergauwen) August 3, 2021
Earlier today, Scott Burns of The Daily Record said a deal had been agreed but the stumbling block was personal terms for the right-back.
Celtic have agreed a deal with Antwerp. Agreeing personal terms with the player has been the issue. He is not looking for bank-breaking money either. https://t.co/MsZPy9HKeu
— Scott Burns (@ScottBurns75) August 3, 2021
We've spoken with @MichVergauwen who has told us that there is absolutely no deal done between Celtic & Antwerp for Aurélio Buta.
He said that there is no agreement, not even close. pic.twitter.com/KMOgRe7jWW
— Everything Celtic (@aboutceltic) August 3, 2021
The 24-year-old still has a year left at the Belgian club but the Portuguese full-back would be an impressive acquisition for the Parkhead side and Celtic know that he will be available for €3.5m. Ange Postecoglou is keen on bringing the right-back to the club and the Belgian journo doesn’t say that Celtic aren’t interested in the ex-Portuguese U20 Internationalist, he just states that a deal is yet to be agreed.
Postecoglou and new CEO Dominic McKay inherited a considerable mess from Neil Lennon and Peter Lawwell after the last season and the lack of investment in the backline, excluding Starfelt, has been worrying. A right-back, another central defender and a winger are required as soon as possible and the duo, who arrived in the summer, need to arrest the situation and make sure that they are getting quality bodies in the door. Buta would be a start.
Joe Hart looks as if he is nearing a move to Celtic but there are still a number of signings required to make Celtic as competitive as possible.
