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Celtic identify proven performer as potential first January signing after club green lights deal - reports
Celtic may potentially make their first signing of the January window experienced Bundesliga defender Marvin Compper, according to a report.
The Herald claims that “sources close to Celtic” are confident that 32-year-old Leipzig defender Compper will be the next addition to the Scottish Champions’ squad.
Compper has moulded himself into a proven performer for the German side as they reached the Champions League for the first time in their history, but has recently fallen out of favour.
He did feature for Leipzig in their recent 2-2 draw with Mainz but according to German magazine Kicker the club’s sporting director Ralph Rangnick has green lighted a deal for the centre-back to exit in January.
Compper would miss Celtic’s Europa League last 32 clash with Zenit as he played for Leipzig in the Champions League against Besitkas.
Football Insider verdict
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Brendan Rodgers has long identified centre-halves as a priority position at Celtic, going back to the summer when he tried to sign South Africa international Rivaldo Coetzee but the move fell though due to a failed medical. Compper seems to be of a far better pedigree than Coetzee and he is the type of player the Hoops have been crying out for, an experienced centre-half in the Kolo Toure mould. With first choice defensive pairing Dedryck Boyata and Jozo Simunovic somewhat injury prone, Compper looks to be a good bit of business by the Scottish champions and could potentially be available on the cheap if Leipzig want him gone.
In other Celtic news, Michael Stewart claims that Celtic have a ‘good chance’ of signing Hibs’ John McGinn
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