Celtic targeting “unbelievable talent” for Rodgers in January

Celtic targeting “unbelievable talent” for Rodgers in January

During his first news conference this week,

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers disclosed that the team was on the verge of signing Declan Rice,

but injury concerns derailed the potential deal.

“I remember when I was here the first time,

we spent about three months looking for Declan Rice to come in,

” he stated. Declan was about to enter the game when they unexpectedly suffered an injury.

Despite this, he stayed and joined the squad,

and the rest is history. It’s just the way things are; the club isn’t to blame.”

One can’t help but wonder what could have transpired if Celtic had succeeded in closing that deal.

When Rice moved from West Ham to Arsenal for £105 million last summer,

he naturally became the most expensive British player in Premier League history.

Had Rice at Celtic demonstrated a similar level of ability, the Hoops might have received a sizable payoff.

However, Celtic is currently pursuing a different youthful defensive midfielder who is gaining

a lot of attention from scouts.

Celtic monitor Zambrano

Rangers and Celtic, two of the fiercest rivals in the Scottish Premiership,

“are both watching” Oscar Zambrano of Ecuador’s LDU Quito, according to HITC.

The Premier League teams in England have also been made aware of him due to

his performances in South America, in addition to the Old Firm pair.

Luton Town has undertaken negotiations with Wolves,

and his name has surfaced in recruiting discussions at Brighton.

But it appears that Bournemouth’s interest has advanced the most.

In fact, after starting “advanced” negotiations for the 17-year-old,

the report claims that the Cherries are in “pole position” to sign the player.

Celtic will thus need to move fast in order to complete a deal.

Zambrano provides a thrilling No. 6 package.

Zambrano, who played every minute of Ecuador’s Under-20 World Cup campaign as they advanced to the round of 16, had something of a breakthrough year in 2023.

In November, he made his senior debut for his nation.

Despite his relative lack of experience,

he has made 26 league appearances for his club and has played in seven games as his team won the Copa Sudamericana,

South America’s version of the Europa League.

Zambrano has generated a lot of excitement among online talent scouts,

suggesting that Celtic or the team that signs him in the end may find themselves with a true gem.

He’s been dubbed “one of the best line-splitting passers” by Scouted Football,

for example, who also notes that he combines this cutting skill with a “tenacious off-ball presence”.

Scout Jacek Kulig does the same, listing “pace, passing, technique, tackling,

positioning, determination, work rate” as a combination of on- and off-ball strengths.

He also draws a comparison with fellow countryman and positional peer Moises Caicedo,

the most expensive signing by a Premier League team.

Antonio Mango, an Under-23 scout, agrees,

calling Zambrano a “regen” from Caicedo and a “unbelievable talent”.

This is your chance to seize the moment and nurture this talent before flipping him for a tidy profit should he keep getting better.

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