Celtic could land Championship star on a free transfer

PRESTON, ENGLAND - JULY 01: Wayne Rooney of Derby County is challneged by Ben Pearson of Preston North End during the Sky Bet Championship match between Preston North End and Derby County at Deepdale on July 01, 2020 in Preston, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
PRESTON, ENGLAND - JULY 01: Wayne Rooney of Derby County is challneged by Ben Pearson of Preston North End during the Sky Bet Championship match between Preston North End and Derby County at Deepdale on July 01, 2020 in Preston, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Celtic are reportedly looking to land the Championship star for free and have made contact over a pre-contract agreement in January.

It is no secret that the global pandemic has wrecked havoc on the finances of football clubs around the world. And Celtic are not free from it. Generally the Hoops register millions in profit every season but this time around, they were in the green barely.

As a result, it is not surprising that they could be trying to sign free agents as that means that they won’t have to steep transfer fees. And while they have been linked with a move for Preston North End’s Ben Davies for months, it is his teammate Ben Pearson who could be headed to Parkhead in the near future.

Sky Sports’ Anthony Joseph revealed on Twitter that the club have made contact to get him to agree to a pre-contract agreement in January, with his contract running out in the summer:

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Signing Pearson for free could be a shrewd piece of business. Coming through the Manchester United academy, the 25-year-old midfielder is currently in his sixth season in the Championship with Preston North End. And he has been a regular in the first-team for the entirety of his run there.

While Celtic have a number of midfielders at this point of time, that picture could be about to change soon. Olivier Ntcham has been linked with a move away from the club in January while Ryan Christie could follow suit in the near future as well. Both their contracts run out in the summer of 2022. And with Scott Brown set to turn 36, it is important to prepare for the future.

Pearson is more of a defensive option though and it looks like the Hoops are indeed preparing for life after Broony. And they cannot be blamed for it. The captain has slowed down considerably this season and might already be behind Ismaila Soro in the pecking order.