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Celtic heavily linked with Schalke attacker

By Nick McAdam

WIGAN, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Franco Di Santo (9) and Arouna Kone of Wigan Athletic look dejected during the Barclays Premier League match between Wigan Athletic and Swansea City at DW Stadium on May 7, 2013 in Wigan, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
WIGAN, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Franco Di Santo (9) and Arouna Kone of Wigan Athletic look dejected during the Barclays Premier League match between Wigan Athletic and Swansea City at DW Stadium on May 7, 2013 in Wigan, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /
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Celtic have named yet another attacker in the cards. Moussa Dembele could be out in this window, and it looks as if Brendan Rodgers is eyeing a rather short-term replacement from the Bundesliga.

The front-line for the Bhoys would look a bit more weak if the Frenchman were to leave. The depth that has been used by Rodgers in the attack is something fans should feel blessed about having. As mentioned before, that depth may only be here for so long.

Rodgers and the rest of the Hoops’ board are currently looking for some backups in the attack, and apparently Schalke forward Franco di Santo has been identified as one of those solutions. A short-term replacement seems reasonable considering that Santo comes at the age of 28.

It looks like the Argentine would be used primarily as a bench rotation; at least that’s what his stats suggest from this season with the German side. Santo has played a total of 19 games in all competitions in this campaign while scoring 3 goals and 1 assist.

The 28-year-old has plenty of European football experience having played for the likes of Chelsea, Wigan Athletic and Werder Bremen. His most impressive year was with Werder Bremen in the 2014/15 season when Santo scored 13 goals and logged over 2,000 minutes.

SALZBURG, AUSTRIA – JULY 11: Franco di Santo of Bremen in action during the pre-season semi final 1 match between FC Red Bull Salzburg and SV Werder Bremen as part of the Audi Quattro Cup 2015 at Red Bull Arena on July 11, 2015 in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)
SALZBURG, AUSTRIA – JULY 11: Franco di Santo of Bremen in action during the pre-season semi final 1 match between FC Red Bull Salzburg and SV Werder Bremen as part of the Audi Quattro Cup 2015 at Red Bull Arena on July 11, 2015 in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images) /

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Santo is valued around 2 million pounds which seems like a relatively cheap backup. Rodgers could always use more depth on the bench, especially if other players were to leave. The manager’s ability to get the best out his players regardless of their style is a huge strength, as noted by Ninety Minutes Online.

"“I tend to try to have a group that has a good synergy,” the Celtic boss is quoted as saying by the Daily Record.“That’s part of your recruitment. Getting the right types. The right profile. That’s equal to ability.“The talent is no good if it doesn’t work. So it’s critical. I’ve got experience in that now where if it’s not right I will know it.“So I will take a lesser talent who is coachable and hungry and bring that into my group.”"

It can’t really be a bad thing for the Bhoys to go ahead and try to sign Santo in this window. The second half of the campaign will be tough, and it will be best to have as much experienced players on board as possible.

Next: Celtic could be naming target from Arsenal

Is a potential Santo signing worth it? If Dembele doesn’t leave, would the Celts still consider bringing in somebody like the Argentine attacker? Let us know in the comments section below.