Celtic accelerate plan to sign defender in January – sources
Celtic are seeking to bolster their defence in the January transfer window, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed that the Scottish champions will enter the market for a new defender in January with Alexandro Bernabei, 24, likely to leave the club.
The left-back, who joined Celtic for £4million in 2022, is currently on loan with Brazilian club Internacional but is due to return to Glasgow in January once their season ends.
It’s understood that Brendan Rodgers has no interest in reintegrating Bernabei back into the squad after a disappointing 18 months in Scotland and will look to move him on as soon as possible.
Bernabei has managed to recapture some of his lost form in Brazil, scoring three goals and providing four assists in 28 appearances across all competitions.
Celtic plot January defender deal
Celtic seriously strengthened their defence over the summer transfer window, bringing in Auston Trusty from Sheffield United and Alex Valle on loan from Barcelona.
Both players have impressed since making the switch, adding much-needed competition for the likes of Liam Scales and Greg Taylor, respectively.
Given his time at Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, it’s unsurprising Valle has excelled in Rodgers’ attacking set-up, boasting a pass accuracy rate of 89 per cent and two assists in just four league appearances.
While Rodgers’ likes his full-backs to bomb up and down the pitch, he first and foremost wants his centre-backs to be solid defensively.
Trusty has played the full 90 minutes in Celtic’s last five league matches, during which the club has conceded only two goals, both occurring in a 2-2 draw against high-flying Aberdeen.
Despite their impressive starts to life at the club, Celtic will still seek to add more competition for defensive places in January as they seek to continue their domestic domination.
In other news, ‘Celtic in hunt to sign Lennon Miller’ – Top source has big news.
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