Celtic look to be on the verge of losing one of their most important players in Jota, who is closing in on a £25 million move to Al-Ittihad. While that is a significant transfer fee, it also weakens the Hoops as a team. That is not ideal. The club need to strengthen this summer, with three trophies to defend and a place in the Champions League group stage already booked.
It is not a great start for Brendan Rodgers in the Parkhead hot seat either, losing arguably Celtic’s most creative player. Fans will hope for the transfer fee to be reinvested into the squad.
Celtic have already signed Odin Thiago Holm and Marco Tilio this summer. And recently, they have been linked with an in-form striker as well.
Benie Traore is a 20-year-old Ivorian striker, who has been in top form this season. According to stats from Transfermarkt, he has scored 12 goals and provided 2 assists in 13 Allsvenskan appearances for Hacken in the ongoing campaign till now.
Sheffield United eye £5 million move for Celtic target
Thus, it is not hard to understand why both Celtic and the Rangers have been linked with the striker. In fact, the Ibrox club are believed to have already seen a transfer bid for Traore rejected. And now, it looks like an English team are looking to move ahead of the Scottish giants in the race for the Ivorian.
As reported by The Sun, Sheffield United have offered a deal to Traore. They hope to agree a £5 million transfer fee with Swedish side Hacken.
Sheffield United will be back in the Premier League next season. Thus, a move to the club might be tempting for someone like Traore. At the same time though, Celtic can offer him a chance to compete for trophies consistently and play in the Champions League.