Celtic exit considered for 'highly regarded' defender as club given encouragement over 12-goal winger
Celtic defender will be given every chance to impress but could depart in the summer, according to reports.
Celtic will consider a loan exit for defender Colby Donovan this summer in order to provide him with further first-team experience next season, according to reports.
The 19-year-old full-back has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign at Celtic Park this term, making 26 appearances in all competitions and grabbing four assists for the team. Viewed as one of the club’s most valued young talents, Donovan has also become a regular in the Scotland Under-21 squad after making his debut last March.
Currently third in the Premiership and five points off table toppers Hearts with just seven games left, an overhaul of the playing squad is anticipated at Celtic after a season of commotion, while the club must also appoint a new manager with Martin O’Neill expected to vacate his position at the end of the campaign.
While Donovan’s future is reported to be safe, with the club holding the Scottish youngster in “high-regard”, a fresh report from journalist Pete O’Rourke claims that club are mulling over a potential loan exit for the teenager in order to ensure he continues to benefit from regular first-team football.
It is reported that Celtic would like to give Donovan every chance to impress during the summer, with a new manager at the helm likely to offer a fresh slate to each player. But with first-choice right-back Alistair Johnston hoping to return after the current international break, Scotland international Anthony Ralston and the on-loan Julian Araujo all in competition with Donovan for the position, the Celtic hierarchy want to ensure he isn’t kicking his heels on the substitutes bench for a season.
Meanwhile, the agent of rumoured January target Fares Ghedjemis has opened up on the reasons why the French winger opted to stay with second-tier Italian outfit Frosinone during the winter transfer window - but has given encouragement that a deal could be struck this summer, should the club wish to revisit a move for the player.
Ghedjemis, 23, has been a standout performer at the Stadio Benito Stirpe, bagging 12 league goals as the club chase promotion back to the Serie A after being relegated two seasons ago. Currently in third place and three points behind league leaders Venezia, his agent Fabrizio Ferrari has revealed to Tuttomercatoweb that he could be available in the summer. “The market rumours about him in January? He really wanted to finish the season with a promotion,” said Ferrari. “This was the boy’s intention, with Frosinone then potentially monetising the operation in the summer.”