If a report from the Portuguese outlet is believed to be true, Celtic have joined the race for the rising Turkish midfielder Demir Ege Tiknaz. French facet Lille have been already maintaining an eye fixed, and his spectacular mortgage stint with Rio Ave has now drawn the eye of the Scottish champions.
The 20-year-old Turkey youth worldwide progressed by means of the academy ranks of Besiktas and made 29 senior appearances earlier than becoming a member of Vilacondenses final summer time. Regardless of becoming a member of on an preliminary season-long mortgage, the Portuguese outfit have an choice to make the transfer everlasting for €5m. They have to set off the clause by subsequent Tuesday, and any negotiation for a future sale might proceed afterwards.
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The teenager, at the moment on senior worldwide responsibility, would price the Hoops round £8.4m. Whereas they haven’t spent such a hefty switch charge fairly often, the £26m exit of Matt O’Riley to Brighton & Hove Albion, adopted by Kyogo Furuhashi’s £10m winter swap to Rennes, allowed them to take action final season after they snapped up Arne Engels, Adam Idah, Auston Trusty and Jota. However they’d require additional reinforcements, notably in midfield, following a number of dismal performances, together with a Parkhead defeat towards Outdated Agency rivals Rangers.
Why Celtic Should Snap Up The Teenager
Brendan Rodgers has Engels and Reo Hatate because the ‘quantity 8s’ who’ve typically been challenged and coated by Luke McCowan and Paulo Bernardo in the midst of the park. Nonetheless, they don’t have a substitute for Callum McGregor deep down the midfield, because the damage absence of Celtic’s ‘Captain Unbelievable’ noticed them lose form of their 3-2 setback. Engels did not drive the present as a deep-lying playmaker towards the likes of Nicolas Raskin and Connor Barron.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – FEBRUARY 15: Callum McGregor of Celtic celebrates after scoring the opening purpose in the course of the William Hill Premiership match between Celtic FC and Dundee United FC at Celtic Park on February 15, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Picture by Ian MacNicol/Getty Photographs)
Though considered as a flexible midfield possibility, Paulo Bernardo has not proven sufficient composure as a ‘quantity 6’. The Celts would like somebody with extra bodily presence, together with technical traits, and Tiknaz, being 6 ft 4 in, has exhibited his all-round potential all through the earlier marketing campaign. With 4 objectives and a couple of assists as a defensive midfielder in 28 league outings, the Turkish prodigy proved his experience within the centre of the pitch. The steerage of Rodgers might see him flourish as McGregor’s long-term successor if a switch takes place in due time.
Having stated that, should overcome the playoff take a look at to make it to the principle draw of the Champions League. This would possibly fascinate the younger ace to ply his commerce in Scotland over France, with Lille lacking out on the qualification to Good for a decrease purpose distinction.
