According to a report in The Sun, Celtic are one of several clubs in pursuit of £18m rated Uruguay international Giorgian De Arrascaeta ahead of a potential move, and if they do successfully lure him down to Parkhead, it would certainly prove a big point to arch-rivals Rangers.
Well, the report further stated that the Bhoys, along with Premier League side Newcastle United, have indicated interest in the 24-year-old;s signature. The attacking midfielder was supposed to be his country’s biggest hopes at the 2018 World Cup.
However, having fallen short of expectation in their opener against Egypt, he was excluded from the starting XI as the South American country were evicted from the tournament by at the quarter-final stage.
Nevertheless, The Sun reports that Brendan Rodgers delegated scouts to watch the Cruzeiro playmaker in action at the Copa Libertadores earlier this year, and a deal could finally come through with the Brazilian outfit said to be resigned to losing one of their star players in the coming weeks.
Despite his troubles in Russia, there is no doubt that De Arrascaeta would improve the Rodgers’ squad and would be a perfect replacement for Stuart Armstrong following his transfer to Southampton.
The 24-year has proved himself worthy of the attention with 20 goals and 13 assists in 90 appearances for Cruzeiro, while the fact that he started for Uruguay in their opening World Cup game shows how highly he is regarded.
He could make a huge impact for the Hoops both domestically and in the Champions League, and it would further quell Celtic fans’ fear of being dethroned from the top of Scottish football by rivals Rangers