Following Sky Sports reporting that Ajax were one of the club’s looking at Celtic’s Israeli forward Liel Abada, a second source has now added fuel to that rumour by suggesting that Benfica are also interested in acquiring the young winger from the Hoops this summer transfer window.
With Abada not having signed an extension to his current deal, with no signs that negotiations will reconvene, it’s looking more and more likely that the Bhoys will cash in on the 21-year-old this coming close season. It’s a move that would make sense to protect the value of our asset, as well as ensuring we receive top dollar for him and he gets his pick of clubs after a really good spell in the Scottish Premiership.
It is still sad however, as he is still so young and could achieve so much more at Celtic Park under Ange Postecoglou. The boss will know and understand the undoubted talent Liel possesses in abundance, but as he has did in the past, if your not fully committed to the project and the team, he is not afraid to cut ties with you immediately.
This latest one is definitely a step up in the type and class of club that is reportedly looking to acquire his services for next season. Lower table English Premier League sides won’t serve his footballing development any good and he only needs to look to former Celt Odsonne Edouard to see what can happen if your not very assidious about picking the correct team.
Shira took to Twitter to confirm this interest in Abada, stating:
“#Ajax and #Benfica are interested in #Celtic’s winger Liel #Abada (born in 2001)”
#Ajax and #Benfica are interested in #Celtic’s winger Liel #Abada (born in 2001). #transfers
— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) April 20, 2023
It would appear that there may be some substance to the stories, although it remains to be seen if either of these sides will come to the table and submit a decent enough offer to the Celtic heirarchy for his signature. It must be stressed, we should only be parting company with this young man if we get what he’s worth in today’s market.
Paul Gillespie
