Today we’re linked with a Premiership striker.
But not really.
Except, yeah, we kinda are. If you conclude that one appearance from the bench makes you one. Which he has. He’s also been on loan in Holland, where he’s done reasonably well. Doesn’t sound like a lot to be overly excited about, does it?
It might be though. It really might.
Who is Dominic Solanke?
That’s the first question people will be asking when they see todays reports.
He plays for Chelsea – or their youth team, to be more specific – and he’s got a lot of light shining on him. He’s 19, about the same age as Dembele when we poached him from Fulham last year. Like Moussa, the boy has a growing reputation, only he did the first team stuff in the Dutch top flight instead of in England’s second tier.
He’s respected. He’s wanted by other clubs.
German moneybags RB Leipzig wanted him. Some reports suggest that they’d already opened talks. But he hasn’t signed there. The word is he likes the idea of Celtic Park, and playing under Brendan. If true, this could be another major coup. Because this kid ticks a lot of the boxes for us.
For one thing, he’s a forward who can also play on the wing. Perfect. As I said in last night’s article on the transfer kitty, we’re not going to sign another first choice striker when we already have two of them, and can call on Scott Sinclair if need be. There won’t be a £6 million Chris Sutton style signing in that area, not whilst Moussa is at Parkhead.
But it’s an acknowledged fact that we do want further cover in that area; this kid would be a good signing for that reason along.
Yet I suspect it’s his ability to play as a winger, and do what Scott Sinclair does – which is get into the penalty area from a wide position and score goals – which attracts Celtic most. The YouTube videos of him – there are plenty of them – show a player playing on the left, the right and through the middle who is quick on the ball, technically skilled and with an eye for goal.
If our pursuit of Patrick Roberts proves unsuccessful – let’s face it, if City want to charge the Earth they can; if they put him up on the open market other English clubs will outbid us – this could be the move to make. If we can agree terms.
There’s something to this story; we’ve been tracking him for a few months. We can now talk to him about a permanent move. It’s not in the bag – not yet – but it’s promising. If we close this deal we can check off a position on Brendan’s wish-list.
And this kid will be cheap too.
Plenty of the £10 million transfer warchest left haha.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00y8_WIOm58