da betobet： As reported by The Daily Record, Celtic are tracking the progress of Romanian midfielder Ovidiu Popescu and may even already be negotiating his transfer this summer.
What’s the story?
da pinnacle： Celtic are looking to bolster their options in the middle of the park this summer ahead of another tilt at the UEFA Champions League and it appears their gaze has been cast on Romania’a Liga I.
That’s what The Daily Record say anyway, who have spoken to Steaua Bucharest owner George Becali about the future of Ovidiu Popescu.
Quoted by the paper, Becali said:
Celtic came to watch him at the weekend and we’ve talked. There has already been an offer for him, although I won’t say from which club it was from. He’s the most exciting player to come from Romania in years. He’s not going to be sold for nothing.
That match Becali is speaking about was last weekend’s clash between Steaua and Dinamo in the Bucharest derby.
It appears there’s certainly interest there from the Hoops and if talks are already underway then supporters may see him arrive in Glasgow in the summer.
Is he what they’re looking for?
The right fit in midfield?
23 year old Popescu has only been at Steaua since last summer but has already racked up the appearances, making 30 so far in all competitions, with his club engaged in a title race in Liga I.
Also making 3 appearances in this season’s UEFA Europa League, it’s clear he’s seen as a key figure at the club. He’s certainly attracting plenty of praise.
George Becali, again quoted by The Daily Record, said last month:
Ovidiu is the same type of player as Frank Lampard at Chelsea. He will be worth £25 million one day. He’s a central midfielder, who can also play right back – he’s so versatile. He runs at opponents and humiliates them when he gets past them. No one can keep up with him with that initial five yard burst of pace.
Celtic have the likes of Stuart Armstrong and Scott Brown to call upon but with the latter reaching advancing years and the fact there’s no much depth beyond that pairing, a move for Popescu could be just what the Hoops need. He’s versatile too with the ability to excel at right-back when called upon.
While obviously his current employers are going to speak highly of him, they are still comments that should pique the interest of Celtic fans hoping for a new midfielder this summer.