Celtic have 'ramped up' interest in six-figure Irish teenager with Norwich City also in the transfer hunt
European clubs Genoa and Lyon are also interested in the defender.
As January looms, Wilfried Nancy is looking into the Irish market to bolster his squad at the back.
The Celtic boss may have a busy transfer window ahead as he looks to bridge the gap between them and Hearts. The Hoops currently sit six points behind their Edinburgh rivals, however they do still have a game in hand. Nancy earned his first league win at the fifth time of asking at the weekend against Aberdeen.
After Celtic’s poor start to the season, there are a number of areas the Frenchman will want to strengthen, particularly as he looks to implement his own style on the team. Nancy has already received criticism for trying to change too much, too soon at Celtic Park by starting players in unnatural positions. According to the Daily Record, the new Hoops gaffer is already looking into a familiar market.
Celtic have ‘ramped up’ interest for Irish ace
Vinnie Leonard of Dundalk has been on Celtic’s radar for over a year, however they have now ‘ramped up’ their interest in the 17 year-old. Norwich City, Lyon and Genoa are also all reportedly after the defender’s signature.
According to the Record: “Celtic have re-opened talks with Dundalk over their teenage defender Vinnie Leonard. The Hoops have been on the case of the 17-year-old for over a year. The champions have ramped up their interest again. Celtic hope to line up a move and the likelihood would keep Leonard on-loan at Dundalk until the summer, if their bid was accepted. They would then look to move him across the water when he had turned 18.”
It’s expected that a deal for the highly-rated teenager, who has represented his country at International youth level, would be six-figures plus add-ons. It also wouldn’t be the first time Celtic have dipped into the League of Ireland market, having signed Liam Scales and Johnny Kenny from Shamrock Rovers in recent years.
Leonard ‘a player for the future’
Dundalk boss, Ciaran Kilduff isn’t surprised that Leonard is attracting attention from other clubs. Speaking earlier on in the season after a win against Treaty United, he said: “what we have on our hands here is a special talent. I know teams like Celtic and others were over watching him for weeks. The club do link in with me on matters like this. But I am dealing with the football side of things.
"He is a player for the future. We have a kid on our hands. Even if there are offers from UK clubs with an interest, he cannot go there until June of next year. He is not 18 until March. He is really enjoying his football. Vinny is also going to a World Cup with the Republic of Ireland [under 17s]. He has a lot on his plate right now.”