Celtic are set to bolster their backline with the addition of an exciting young Brentford centre-back.
Celtic have been in the market for a new centre-back before the transfer window ends, and fans will be delighted by the news that Celtic are discussing a deal with Brentford to bring Benjamin Arthur to the club on a loan until the end of the season.
The 20-year-old made his senior debut for Brentford in their Carabao Cup victory over Aston Villa, but hasn’t yet appeared in the Premier League. He is behind Nathan Collins, Kristoffer Ajer, Sepp van den Berg and Ethan Pinnock in the pecking order, so the club are keen to send him out on loan.
Opinion is mixed on social media. Some are calling the potential signing “bottom of the barrel”, but it seems that fans will have to accept their new man sooner rather than later.
Something that will disappoint fans though is that there is allegedly no buy clause in the deal. This loan spell seems to simply be for reinforcement, rather than a long-term option.
Celtic really wanted a new centre-back after Cameron Carter-Vickers picked up an injury. The Hoops’ current options are Austin Trusty, Liam Scales, Dane Murray and Stephen Welsh, but Motherwell seems to be chasing a move to bring Welsh back to the club.
Welsh had a brilliant start to the season, but was called back after that injury to Carter-Vickers. He has not appeared much for the club since returning, and Well manager Jens Berthel Askou has expressed interest in bringing the defender back to Fir Park.
As for Celtic’s starting defenders, they are keen to keep them all, but interest in one centre-back is growing by the minute.
Crystal Palace want Trusty
Celtic have made it clear that they don’t want to lose any starting players, but that hasn’t stopped suitors. Premier League club Crystal Palace are reportedly interested in signing Trusty.
The London side are still looking to bring in a centre-back before the window closes and are already in discussions with Brentford to sign Ethan Pinnock. However, interest is still very real in Trusty, with the Eagles being impressed by his performances this season.
Trusty has been a great player for Celtic since he signed and has been a regular starter under Martin O’Neill. He has been solid at the back and has been very consistent during this season’s Europa League campaign.
It previously came out that Serie A sides Fiorentina and Lazio were interested in Trusty’s signature, with his displays in Europe catching the eye.
Trusty joined Celtic last season for a transfer fee of around £6 million, and fans will hope that he isn’t on his way out already.