CELTIC are set to formalise an 18-month loan deal for Charly Musonda from Chelsea, writes Alison McConnell.
It is believed that a deal has been agreed in principle for the Belgian playmaker, with Celtic fighting off interest from Spanish side Leganes and as well as Italy’s Roma. Musonda, 21, was an unused sub for Chelsea yesterday as they beat Newcastle 3-0 in the FA Cup but such was the player’s rapid exit that he did not join post-match training with the rest of the squad but left immediately after the game.
A further bid is also expected to be tabled this week from Celtic for Dundee’s Jack Hendry. An initial bid of £500,000 has been rejected by Dundee, but Celtic are expected to return before Wednesday night’s deadline.
The club are also keen to add a goalkeeper to the squad following the injury to Craig Gordon in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Hibernian.
There was further good news too for Celtic with Patrick Roberts set to give the Parkhead side a boost.
The winger is working towards getting game time in the forthcoming William Hill Scottish Cup tie against Partick Thistle next month, which could potentially put him in line for a place against Zenit St Petersburg in the Europa League.
Manchester City loanee Roberts has been sidelined since the end of November with a hamstring injury.
But goalscorer in the win Leigh Griffiths was added to the crocks list at the weekend after another calf injury, while the club still await news on the extent of Gordon’s injury. And with Stuart Armstrong, Tom Rogic and Mikey Johnston all out at present, the news that Roberts is on his way back will be regarded as welcome respite from the mounting injury issues.
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