There is no need to mention the ties that exist between Celtic and Ireland. So, it should come as no surprise that the club often end up signing Irish players. Right now, Liam Scales is a fixture in the first team. Johnny Kenny has gotten a decent bit of football in the absence of Kelechi Iheanacho as well. Before him, Adam Idah was one of the club’s primary strikers before his late summer move to Swansea City.
Now, it looks like Celtic have set their eyes on another Irish talent. But it is not someone who will come in immediate and make an impact.
As reported by the Daily Record, Celtic have reopened talks with Dundalk over Vinnie Leonard. It would take a significant six-figure fee plus add-ons in order to convince the club. Genoa, Lyon and Norwich City are also believed to hold interest in him.
If Celtic are successful in their attempt to sign Leonard, he would not join the club straight off the bat. Instead, he is likely to spend the remainder of the season on loan at Dundalk.
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Still just 17 years of age, it is safe to say that Leonard is not someone who will be an instant solution for Celtic at the first-team level. That being said, he does have the potential to develop into an important player in the future.
Just look at the clubs that are interested in him. It is safe to say that it is not just Celtic who see something in Leonard.
Of course, one cannot overlook the fact that Celtic do have a terrible recent record when it comes to developing youngsters and giving them proper opportunities at the senior level. Could that prevent Leonard from joining the club?