Celtic have been credited with an interest in a youngster well-known in some parts of Glasgow having been responsible for humiliating Rangers’ much-celebrated youth side in the UEFA Youth League.
Marca have reported, via The Daily Record, that Rodrigo Riquelme of Atletico Madrid is being seen as a potential summer target for both sides of the city having impressed in a 4-0 rout of Rangers earlier this year.
The 19-year-old was unstoppable in the fixture at Firhill with three assists to his name and could easily have got himself onto the scoresheet such was the level of dominance in the youngster’s performance.
Despite having a €30million (£26.1m) release clause in his Atletico deal, because he is out of contract in the summer he is now able to speak to other clubs, if he rejects the Spanish giant’s offer of a new deal.
Riquelme’s frustration is said to originate from his lack of opportunity in the first-team under Diego Simeone, having made just one La Liga appearance so far this term. The report by Marca also claims that this is the underlying reason for him potentially looking to secure a move away from his homeland.
As well as the two Glasgow sides, Hoffenheim in Germany and clubs in the Netherlands and England are rumoured to be keeping tabs on the winger as his future hangs in the balance.
What is more important?
Signing Riquelme to improve the squad.
Signing Riquelme to annoy Rangers.
It would be a sizeable coup if Neil Lennon could acquire the much-wanted signature of Riquelme, not only because of the creativity and excitement he would bring to his own team’s forward line but because of the added bonus of the frustration and disappointment it would cause across the city.