Celtic plan to sign Giuseppe Ambrosino and another star striker
Brendan Rodgers needs more than just Giuseppe Ambrosino to strengthen Celtic’s frontline this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed what his sources have told him about Celtic‘s attempts to sign the Napoli striker.
Celtic have already lost Daniel Cummings to West Ham on a free transfer this summer and are yet to replace Kyogo Furuhashi after his January move to Rennes, leaving Rodgers short of firepower up front.
Ambrosino is yet to make his debut for Napoli and has been loaned to Como, Cittadella, Catanzaro and most recently Frosinone, with Football Insider sources stating that a fifth could take him to Celtic Park.
The 21-year-old has emerged as an option for Celtic after scoring five times in Serie B for Frosinone last season, but sources have told Football Insider that Rodgers wants guaranteed goals from his strikers.
Celtic are keen to build on their progress to the Champions League knockout stages last season and may add Ambrosino as valuable squad depth for Rodgers, but further additions are required in the frontline.
Ambrosino arrival not enough for Celtic to take next steps
Football Insider revealed on 4 July that Tottenham and several other Premier League clubs are eyeing up a £25million move for Daizen Maeda, who ended last term as Celtic’s number nine after Kyogo’s exit.
Speaking on the new Inside Track, O’Rourke said that while a loan to Parkhead could be the making of Ambrosino, Rodgers wants to strengthen further in the final third even if a deal for the Italian is struck.
“It’s a bit of a surprise link, with Ambrosino – I think Brendan Rodgers would prefer a more established, marquee number nine to bring into his Celtic squad”, he told Football Insider.
“Rodgers is obviously looking to make inroads in the Champions League again and would probably prefer a more established striker who can come in and guarantee him goals.
“If [Ambrosino] is to leave Napoli again, it’s probably looking like another loan move for the Italy under-21 international.”
Celtic exits leave Rodgers rushing for new transfers
Kyogo’s exit in January is yet to be properly addressed by Celtic this summer, and Nicholas Kuhn’s switch to Como being completed will leave Rodgers without two of last season’s first-choice front three.
Rodgers has already butted heads with Celtic’s board amid frustrations with their transfer activity, and Kuhn’s departure being followed by Maeda would likely fracture that relationship beyond breaking point.
A striker who only scored five goals in Italy’s second tier won’t do much to calm those frustrations, but Ambrosino alongside another free-scoring frontman could be transformational for Celtic next season.