Celtic will be looking to improve their defence further in the upcoming summer transfer window. While making new additions has turned into a necessity, with Champions League group stage football coming up, the plan should also include the departure of several players, especially those who appear to have very little chance of breaking into Ange Postecoglou’s plans anytime soon.
Osaze Urhoghide could be one such player, who heads out the Parkhead exit door this summer, with the 21-year-old having enjoyed a great time away on loan in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League with KV Oostende.
Last summer, Celtic moved swiftly to sign the versatile defender from Sheffield Wednesday, after he had shown a ton of potential in the Championship level. Many questioned though whether he was a Postecoglou signing or someone who the club had picked out before the manager’s arrival.
After making just one appearance for the senior team in the first half of the campaign, Urhoghide was loaned in the January transfer window, joining KV Oostende until the end of the season, with the Belgian club having an option to buy.
KV Oostende want to sign the Celtic star on a permanent basis but have one problem
It looks like the Belgian club have been impressed with what they have seen from Urhoghide and want to sign him on a permanent basis. But they might not be willing to match the option to buy in the deal. As reported by the Daily Record, KV Oostende chief executive, Gauthier Ganaye, said about the situation:
"“Urhoghide has proved to be an excellent addition, but the problem is he is still too expensive for us.“But I hope we can work out a solution with Celtic, then I would be very happy because we really want to keep Osaze.”"
On the other hand, it is believed that Urhoghide would be more than happy to remain at the Belgian club as well, if a deal was struck.
Urhoghide made a slow start at KV Oostende before managing to nail down a place in their starting XI late in the season.
This move seems somewhat similar to Jack Hendry, who enjoyed great success at KV Oostende. The Belgian club did end up signing him on a permanent basis though.