da aposte e ganhe： According to The Times, Ismaila Soro’s manager at Bnei Yehuda has revealed that a deal to take the Ivorian to Celtic has “been closed in principle” as the Hoops close in on a relatively unknown central midfield talent.
What’s the word?
da dobrowin： Celtic aren’t wasting any time in concluding their January business.
A deal for Patryk Klimala has been completed and Soro’s arrival is seemingly imminent.
The Hoops have historically dipped into the Israeli market to secure fresh blood and did so as recently as last summer when they brought Hatem Abd-Elhamed in from Hapoel Be’er Sheva.
Considering the lack of access to and interest in Israeli football, Soro represents something of an unknown entity.
What exactly he’ll bring to the club remains to be seen, but a recent claim from Ori Guttman, who was second in command at Bnei Yehuda when he was alerted to the player’s talent, suggests they are closing in on a special player, per Scottish Sun.
“Now he reminds me of N’Golo Kante at Chelsea. Kante maybe doesn’t look like he’s strong, but he is. He wins most duels and tackles. Soro does the same and wins the battles too.
“Both are good at dribbling with the ball. Neither of them score a lot of goals. They need creative guys alongside them in midfield. So they are alike in that way.
“I think it’s a very good move for Celtic. For this amount, for his age, they don’t have anything to lose. In fact, the deal is good for all sides.”
Hyperbolic but encouraging
Lightning rarely strikes twice but the glowing verdict can only be an encouraging sign for Celtic supporters.
Kante has been a complete revelation in Premier League football, spearheading Leicester City’s stunning 2016 title victory before emulating that feat in the following season under Antonio Conte at Chelsea.
Naturally, it would be foolish to suggest that Soro can become another Kante, but the fact the 21-year-old has been described as a combative player who is strong in individual duels and a capable ball-carrier suggests he’ll slot in well at Paradise.
After all, Scott Brown has effectively established his legendary status at the club with his never-say-die, all-action style at the heart of midfield, and if Soro can be Celtic’s answer to Kante there’s no doubt he’ll be well received on the terraces.
That the Hoops could secure his services for a measly fee of just £2m, combined with Guttman’s analysis of the potential arrival, suggests this could prove to be a truly cunning pieces of business from the Scottish champions.
Now the club just need to get the deal over the line.