Aurelio Buta has been on Celtic’s transfer wish list this transfer window, knowing the player has just a year left on his contract and reports now indicate that Celtic have submitted an official bid for the Royal Antwerp Right Back.
Celtic under the new management of Ange Postecoglou has been active this transfer window, the likes of Liel Abada, Liam Shaw, Osaze Urhoghide have all been confirmed by the club as their new signings. Furthermore, Japanese forward Kyogo Furuhashi’s transfer from the J League and the addition of Rubin Kazan defender Carl Starfelt have also been recently confirmed by the club this week.
It’s clear that Ange feels the need to make significant changes to the present squad and make the most of the transfer window to revamp the squad, with the addition of quality players. Though the signings made so far are exciting prospects, there’s work to be done to solidify the backline and reinforce the defensive setup. Here is where Celtic’s right back target Auerilo Buta can contribute largely. The news coming in from Fabrizio Ramano had previously confirmed that Celtic where preparing to make a move to sign the 24-year old.
Celtic are looking for a new right back after agreement completed to sign Carl Starfelt as centre back from Rubin Kazan. ??????? #Celtic
Brandon Soppy is one of the options – talks ongoing also with Royal Antwerp for Portuguese right back Aurélio Buta. ⚪️?
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 17, 2021
Now reports from journalist Ekrem Konur, of Calcio In Pillole and Fichajes (via Daily Record) indicate that Celtic have submitted a €2.5million (£2.1m) bid with Antwerp for defender Aurelio Buta. Celtic’s bid for the 24-year-old right back apparently falls short of the Belgians’ valuation by €1m.
The 24-year old Portuguese player has a contract running with his current club Royal Antwerp F.C till 2022, meaning the player has not been offered a new contract and possibilities are that next season he could join any club he likes for free. Antwerp would of course knowing this and would want to cash in on the player if there are any suitable bids made for the player.
Should Celtic Make a Move for Aurelio Buta or Brandon Soppy:
The player has had 5 assists to his name last season and he anchors the right side of the defence. He is quick, good on the ball and he is always on the lookout for a killer pass. The player does not limit himself in the defensive third but does make forward overlapping runs to split the opponent’s defence. Needless to say the young right back is immensely talented and works well for the team but playing in Scottish Premiership is a different game that will demand more from the young right-back and whether he can cope up with it is what needs to be seen.
With Jonjoe Kenny returning to Everton, the move to look out for a permanent defensive option in the transfer market is only sensible on the part of the club, as they will need to back up their new manager if they are to win back the League title and challenge cross town Rivals Rangers this season. Apart from Aurelio Buta, the club has also been linked with french right back Brandon Soppy from FC Rennes.
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Though it might be a positive learning experience for Soppy as he is quite young, what Celtic needs right now is a defender who knows exactly what to do without being taught the ropes for an extended period of time.
Celtic need someone who can get going from day one and that is where Aurelio Buta has the edge over Soppy. Aurelio Buta is an attack-minded right-back a trait which will be well used by the manager Ange. The Australian manager is likely to make good use of him and the player would slot in well with the system Ange plays given his playing style.
There’s certainly excitement amongst the Celtic supporters, though the club started slow at the start of the transfer window, but now they are active and are considering all possible options. Surely defensive reinforcement is needed as Celtic are also heading into a tricky Champions qualifier second round next week
As for the right-back position, its certain that the club will make a choice between Brandon Soppy & Aurelio Buta and who among these two will make it to Parkhead by the end of the season remains uncertain as of now.
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