A new winger could be near the top of Ange Postecoglou’s summer transfer wish list. Celtic look short of options in the wide areas at this point of time.
Right now, James Forrest, Mikey Johnston and Karamoko Dembele are the only recognised wingers at the club.
On top of that, both Forrest and Johnston spent a large portion of the previous campaign on the sidelines, due to their respective injuries. On the other hand, Dembele does not have a lot of experience of senior football till now, despite being one of the most highly-rated youngsters at the club for quite a while. As a result, the Hoops might need to make a signing or two on the wings over the course of the summer.
Aaron Boupendza is someone who they have been linked with for a while now and it is not hard to see why. According to stats from Transfermarkt, the 24-year-old scored 22 goals in 38 appearances across all competitions last season for Hatayspor.
Boupendza could be set to leave soon amid links with Celtic
Hatayspor manager Omer Erdogan has admitted that Boupendza could be set to leave soon. While speaking with Transfermarkt, he said:
"“We assume that Boupendza will leave us. With the sums that are presented, it is very important for the club. As a coach, I would like us to keep working with him. But he also has other goals and is at an age and physical condition at which he can join good clubs from Europe. I understand that too.”"
Boupendza finished as the top scorer in the Turkish Super Lig last season despite not playing as a striker. And as a result, it is only natural that there is a lot of interest in his signature.
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As reported by 90 Min a few months back, Hatayspor will be looking for a transfer fee in the region of £8.5 million for their star man. And several teams from the Premier League along with Celtic and the Rangers are believed to be keen on the 24-year-old.
Boupendza is not the type of winger to stay in the wide areas and provide balls to the striker though. Instead, he is someone who will cut in regularly and try to make goalscoring opportunities for himself. In fact, he is capable of playing all across the frontline, and can play as a centre-forward if the situation calls for it although it does feel like he is at his best when drifting in from the left.
Now, it remains to be seen where he ends up this summer. But if it is Parkhead, then he has the potential to be a brilliant signing for the Hoops.