CIRCLING SOUZA
Celtic have a real battle on their hands to land Brazilian as Schalke and Betis join Fenerbahce as interested parties
CELTIC face fresh competition for Brazilian midfield target Vinicius Souza from Germany and Spain. The Scottish champions have held discussions with representatives of the 23-year-old over a season-long loan, with an option to buy, from Belgian club Lommel.
One of Ange Postecoglou’s top targets, the Parkhead club are already in competition with Turkish side Fenerbahce. And sources close to the holding midfielder have told Sportsmail of further interest from the Bundesliga and La Liga.
Despite signing holding midfielder Tom Krauss, newly promoted Schalke are believed to be the German side declaring their hand. Fenerbahce’s top target is William Carvalho of Real Betis — and if they land the Portuguese international, Betis will look to land Souza as a replacement.
The City Football Group, Manchester City’s parent company from which Celtic hired Postecoglou and head of recruitment Mark Lawwell, own 60 per cent of the Brazilian and placed him in Belgium where he impressed during a season-long loan at KV Mechelen.
Currently training in Manchester, Souza has not ruled out a move to Glasgow — but plans to study all of his options before deciding on his next move.
Celtic have already been active in the transfer market, spending heavily by Scottish standards to make loan deals for Japanese attacker Daizen Maeda, Portuguese winger Jota and central defender Cameron Carter-Vickers permanent.
Last season’s title winners have also added Argentinian left-back Alexandro Bernabei and former Dundee United goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist.
Central midfield is the next priority following the departures of Nir Bitton and Tom Rogic at the end of the season. The club are also trying to find takers for fringe players Albian Ajeti, Boli Bolingoli and Ismaila Soro, with central defender Christopher Jullien also expected to leave.
Describing the business done so far as ‘excellent’, captain Callum McGregor welcomed the return of last season’s key performers Carter-Vickers and Jota.
‘I know the manager was really keen on getting the boys here from last year as well,’ said McGregor. ‘Having spoken to them over the summer, they were desperate to come back. It’s a huge club and the boys were buzzing to be a part of it.
‘The club have done their business early and hopefully we can add one or two more faces as well, which would be great.’
Faces, old and new, flew to Austria yesterday for a preseason training camp featuring games against Wiener Viktoria and Rapid Vienna before a final game against Banik Ostrava in the Czech Republic.
‘Just to have the whole squad together to jet to Austria gives us a chance to bond together, enjoy it and work hard,’ added McGregor.
‘It’s great to be back. It’s an exciting feeling coming back for a new season.
‘We got some new signings in early doors as well which is great, good for the group having new faces as well.
‘We are really looking forward to the pre-season trip. It gives us a chance to go out there to a remote location and get some good work done. It lets the lads live with each other for ten or 11 days and start to bond together.
‘Pre-season is a really vital part of the season where you are getting your football fitness in.
‘The manager has a chance to work with you tactically and individually and outline what he wants from the team as well, in terms of the intensity he wants the team to play with.
‘This season we have to go again and reach another level. So that’s the challenge for the players and I’m sure the manager will be setting that challenge as well.’
McGregor played more minutes — 4,257 — than any other outfield player at Celtic last season and displayed the tireless properties of the Duracell Bunny by playing another four games for Scotland against Ukraine, Armenia (twice) and the Republic of Ireland.
Signing another holding midfielder would offer the option of releasing the Parkhead skipper to play in a more advanced role and, before boarding a flight to Austria, he insisted he is ready and rested ahead of another campaign.
He added: ‘Just after the Scotland trip I went to Marbella for ten days. I was there with the family, played some golf and had a bit of time to relax and recharge and enjoy myself.
‘It’s brilliant to be back. I’ve been back in Glasgow a week and now I feel ready to come back and hit the ground running.’
Celtic return to Glasgow to face Blackburn at home on Saturday, July 16 before a midweek trip to Poland to face Legia Warsaw in honour of former keeper Artur Boruc.
Ticket sales for that game have been poor, with just 3,000 briefs snapped up so far after prices were pitched at £25 per head — more than the Polish team charged for the Europa League last season.
One supporters group described the prices as an ‘astonishment and embarrassment’, drawing a withering response from Boruc on social media.
‘I want to quickly end this ticket and price scandal,’ said the veteran keeper.
‘I just want to make one thing clear... there’s no f ****** need to explain. If you want, come to the game, I cordially invite you. If not, thank you, have fun at home.’