Celtic have been handed a UEFA problem as they look to complete a season-long loan deal for AC Milan left-back Diego Laxalt.
It looks only a matter of time before Celtic complete the transfer of Diego Laxalt on a season-long loan from AC Milan. And they should be absolutely delighted with this piece of business at the very last minute.
Laxalt might have lost his way a bit since moving to AC Milan but there is no doubt that he is a good player. He has been a regular for a very strong Uruguay national team that made it to the World Cup quarter-finals in Russia. And he looked like a superstar in the making at Genoa and was linked with the likes of Chelsea.
Thus, it is like killing two birds with one stone. Celtic fill the left-back slot that they have needed to do for quite a while also getting their hands on potentially a world-class player.
The transfer will give them a lot to think about though when it comes to the Europa League. Celtic and AC Milan have been drawn in the same group, and as a result, the issue of Laxalt facing his parent club crops up.
In league competition, a player does not generally face their parent club but there is no such rule in UEFA competitions. We have seen Patrick Roberts play against Manchester City while he was on loan at Celtic.
There might end up being a gentleman’s agreement between the two clubs according to Sky Sports’ Anthony Joseph:
AC Milan’s Diego Laxalt is undergoing a medical in London ahead of a loan deal to Celtic.
— Anthony Joseph (@AnthonyRJoseph) October 5, 2020
He is due to arrive in Glasgow later.
It's up to the clubs to agree whether he can play against AC Milan in their #UEL group games. https://t.co/L0KEmo36m0
That might be a cause for worry as no Celtic fan would want to see Greg Taylor line up against the Italian giants. We will cross that bridge when we come to it though as for now, the Hoops are getting their hands on a potentially great player at the last minute. That is some fantastic transfer business and must be recognised as such.