After being linked with a variety of names ahead of this winter transfer window and having already signed two players up before it has even opened, it’s clear that Ange Postecoglou and Celtic aren’t messing about in the market. Ally Johnston and Yuki Kobayashi are the latest names to be added to the Celtic Park dressing room and more are set to follow.
Yesterday, The Celtic Star reported that the Hoops may just yet be signing South Korean World Cup star, Cho Gue-sung after his dad dropped the bombshell that he is finalising discussions with a European club ahead of a January move from the K-League. In asserting that his son should choose a new home that suits the way he wants to play football over a big name, it’s certainly got tongues wagging over just who that might be he is currently in negotiations with.
Another of the heavily linked names with Ange Postecoglou recently has been Egyptian attacking-midfielder, Mohamed ‘Afsha’ Magdy who plays for Al-Ahly in his native land. The 26-year-old’s agent has stated that there has been inquiries made about his client on the behalf of the club and interest remains in the player.
Now the Scottish Daily Express have revealed that if Celtic are to make Magdy their third signing, they face major competition from Saudi Arabia. Al-Ittihad, who are the main rival of Cristiano Ronaldo linked AL-Nassr, are said to be pursuing the top talent and want to make him an offer to play in the cash-ladden Saudi league.
His agent revealed as much in an interview with Al-Nahar TV, saying: “There are some foreign clubs interested in signing Afsha, but no official offers were made, they just enquired about him. The clubs in question compete in the Saudi Professional League and the Scottish Premier League.”
It remains to be seen if Celtic will step up their interest in the man who is reputedly the biggest talent in Egypt’s domestic league.
Paul Gillespie
