Reports have been circulating in France, via FootMercato, that a reported Celtic target has been the subject of a bid from Reims…
The Olympique Lyonnais midfielder, Mahamadou Diawara, had been in the crosshairs of Brendan Rodgers and the recruitment team at Celtic Park last summer transfer window and there has been speculation again that the Irishman could yet make a move for the midfield enforcer this month at some point.
Celtic needs a ball-winning enforcer
Of course, one of the main issues at Celtic for some time now has been the lack of physicality in midfield and need for a more natural number 6 than the captain, Callum McGregor. The club acquired the services of Paulo Bernardo, Luke McCowan and our record singing, Arne Engels respectively in the close season; however, none of that trio would be in the classic mould of a ball-winning enforcer in the central area of the park.
The immediacy of the manager’s needs
Whilst not thought to be an immediate concern, the games in the UEFA Champions League group stages and against our main rivals, theRangers, may have changed opinion somewhat of what the immediacy of the manager’s needs are this month now. The Bhoys were ropey in both matches against the Ibrox outfit of late and although you could argue one was a dead rubber, the cup final almost certainly was not.
Therefore, it may be in the club’s best interests to furnish Rodgers with a more aggressive midfielder this transfer window, so as to ensure our grip domestically, whilst at the same time, trying to make more of an impact on Europe’s grandest stage.
With Diawara said to be keen on securing more regular first team football, and with Lyon in considerable fiduciary trouble, perhaps the time to strike is now – particularly now that approaches have been made for the young man’s talent.
Paul Gillespie
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As much as I agree that there is still room within our squad for such a type of player for ourselves.
There still remains the stumbling block of the use of Calmac?
The current 433 suits Calmac possibly moreso than any of our players at present imo?
So could such a signing allow for more rotation for Calmac, which Rodgers has been fairly reluctant to do, so far?
Maybe it could be the start of introducing another dimension to our team set up in formation, which would be welcome also imo?
In order to bring potential change, would require a few different types of players also to be added for ourselves