Celtic Football Club is reportedly exploring the possibility of acquiring two promising wingers from Italian Serie A club Lazio: Matteo Cancellieri and Gustav Isaksen. Sources indicate that Lazio is willing to part ways with these players, presenting an opportunity for Celtic to bolster their squad. This potential move could see the Scottish champions secure one or both players, depending on negotiations and their strategic priorities in the upcoming transfer window. The financial terms, particularly Lazio's willingness to negotiate on their initial valuation, will be a key factor in any potential deal.
Gustav Isaksen, a 25-year-old Danish international, has previously been linked with a move to Celtic in earlier transfer windows. Although currently sidelined with an injury, Isaksen's track record speaks volumes about his capabilities. He has netted 12 goals and provided six assists in 95 appearances for Lazio in Serie A, demonstrating his significant attacking prowess. Despite the current quiet period in discussions, referred to as "cold," the situation could quickly intensify, especially if Lazio becomes more flexible with its reported £12 million valuation. This scenario presents a strategic challenge for Celtic's leadership to secure a valuable asset at a potentially reduced cost.
Lazio's apparent readiness to lower their asking prices for both players suggests a desire to facilitate sales. Isaksen, who has two years remaining on his contract, played in 35 matches last season, contributing five goals and one assist. Similarly, Matteo Cancellieri, 24, who is in the final year of his contract, featured in the same number of games, scoring four goals and assisting twice, despite battling a hamstring injury. These circumstances indicate a potential for Celtic to engage in astute negotiations to bring in talent.
From a strategic standpoint, Isaksen appears to be the more compelling target for Celtic. His career began with Midtjylland in Denmark, where he scored 33 goals in 139 games, earning him a €14 million transfer to Rome. His consistent performance in both Italy and with the Danish national team makes him an ideal candidate to fill the void left by Nicolas Kuhn's departure to Como last year. Acquiring Isaksen would signify Celtic's ambition to maintain a competitive edge and reinforce their attacking options.
The prospect of securing these players, especially at a reduced fee, might appeal to Celtic's board, known for its prudent financial management. However, whether the club's ambition truly extends to the fees associated with players of Isaksen's and Cancellieri's caliber, even with substantial discounts, remains to be seen. While the reported interest is noteworthy, a significant investment in these players would mark a notable shift in Celtic's transfer strategy.
