Souza latest – Celtic face intense competition for top target’s signature | OneFootball

Icon: The Celtic Star

The Celtic Star

·5 July 2022

Souza latest – Celtic face intense competition for top target’s signature

Article image:Souza latest – Celtic face intense competition for top target’s signature

It’s likely everyone, not least Ange Postecoglou – who would like his new signings in the building sooner rather than later – would like Vinicius Souza to make a quick decision on where he intends to play his football next season.

Yet it seems with each passing day further interest in the player materialises, something that will perhaps impact on the time Souza and his advisors will take to make a final decision as to which club to plump for next season.


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Article image:Souza latest – Celtic face intense competition for top target’s signature

Vinicius Souza and  Samuel Oum Gouet pictured during a soccer game between KV Mechelen and KAS Eupen, Wednesday 22 December 2021 in Mechelen,(Photo by David PINTENS/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)

The Daily Mail have reported further interest has emerged in Souza from both Real Betis and newly promoted Bundesliga side Schalke, to add to previous interest in the player from the likes of Ajax, PSV Eindhoven and Turkish side Fenerbahce, who according to Turkish publication Gazetevatan have set a 10-day deadline on acquiring a new signing for the holding midfield position ahead of UEFA’s deadline for registration of new players for their upcoming clash with Dinamo Kiev on 20 July.

Celtic are certainly in the mix when it comes to signing Souza, as despite the player and his advisor’s having reservations about playing in the Scottish Premiership, the City Group, which hold 60% of Souza’s registration, is keen for the player to continue his footballing education under Ange Postecoglou. Although it must be noted that was their stance prior to Real Betis and Schalke entering the picture, and it may well be that Betis in particular with the brand of football they play under Manuel Pellegrini, may also now be an appealing destination.

Article image:Souza latest – Celtic face intense competition for top target’s signature

Mechelen’s Alec Van Hoorenbeeck and Mechelen’s Vinicius Souza looks dejected during a soccer match between KV Mechelen and KAA Gent, Tuesday 10 May 2022. (Photo by DAVID PINTENS/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)

A holding midfielder is certainly a position Ange Postecoglou seems keen to acquire in the transfer window, although whether that is Vinicius Souza or another target will depend on whether the player still holds an interest in coming to Celtic, if the City Group still hold Celtic as their preferred destination for the player, and also may come down to whether the chase for a sought-after target is worth persevering with if it is likely to drag out for much longer.

According to the Daily Record, Celtic have already held talks with Souza’s representatives, and they also advise a loan deal with an option to buy remains on the table. But with interest in the player hotting up by the day, Celtic face a great deal of competition to get this one over the line.

It will be interesting to see how long Celtic are willing to wait for a decision.

Niall J

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