A report from Italian news outlet, SportMediaSet, one of Italy’s major sports broadcasters, has suggested that Celtic may be about to make a move for AC Milan, and Celtic loan star, Diego Laxalt permanent.
The media giants have said that talks have opened up between the Bhoys and the Rossoneri in a cut price deal that could see the Uruguayan international join the Parkhead club in a permanent deal when the transfer window opens on the 1st July.
No transfer fee has yet been revealed, but with the international full back valued at £3.6m (by Transfermarkt) it seems an affordable deal could be struck between both clubs.
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It certainly is a surprising move as Laxalt, although he has made a contribution this season, has done nothing to convince me that he has done enough to earn a move to the Hoops. In fact, an article I wrote back in January, detailed match stats that whenever Scottish full back, Greg Taylor, Celtic points per game average is signifcantly higher with Taylor in the team than Laxalt:
“Looking at their contribution to the team from those appearances, when Taylor is picked, Celtic have won on average 2.42 points per game when he is on the park compared to Laxalt’s 1.67 and for all Laxalts attacking intent, the team scores more goals when Taylor is on the pitch at 21 compared to Laxalt at 14 goals per minutes played.”
Clearly the team needs depth and Celtic cannot go into next season with one recognised left sided full back, but for me, the Hoops would be well served looking to invest the kind of money Laxalt would command in a salary elsewhere as he has not done enough this season to justify a permanent move.
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