LUCAS SWOOP
Celts eye moves for Liverpool star and Chelsea’s Musonda
CELTIC could be set to strengthen significantly for next season with moves for Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva and Chelsea starlet Charly Musonda.
Brendan Rodgers is forging ahead with key improvements in order for his squad to make Champions League progress.
Lucas, who signed a long-term Anfield contract when Rodgers was manager there four years ago, will be allowed to leave for free this summer.
The lure of Champions League football could persuade the 30-year-old to consider Celtic. He, in turn, would bring cast-iron experience at the top European level.
The Brazilian was the subject of an approach by Inter Milan in January but he stayed to help out Jurgen Klopp’s top-four bid and complete ten full seasons at Liverpool.
Musonda, a Belgian Under-21 international who operates as an attacking midfielder, spent almost a year on loan at La Liga side Real Betis before returning to Stamford Bridge in January.
Despite subsequent interest from Italy, he has remained on the fringes of Antonio Conte’s Premier League-winning squad and has yet to make his full debut for Chelsea.
The London club will consider loaning the 20-year-old out again and Rodgers, who also retains an interest in signing Chelsea forward Dominic Solanke, is keeping tabs on the situation.
Adding fresh creativity to his squad in advance of a crack at the European qualifiers is another of the Celtic manager’s priorities, while Lucas can switch between midfield and central defence.
Negotiations are ongoing with Manchester City over the future of Patrick Roberts, currently on loan at Celtic. Hibs midfielder John McGinn is also a target and they have looked at Red Star Belgrade winger Srdan Plavsic.