Celtic should scupper Premier League hopes for Basel attacker Mohamed Elyounoussi

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Mohamed Elyounoussi appears to have caught Southampton’s eye after a stunning season with Basel – but Celtic have been linked in the past.

Mohamed Elyounoussi would be far from the first player to emerge with flying colours from the esteemed Basel finishing school.

The Norwegian international may have spent just one season with the perennial Swiss champions but already he appears certain to follow in the footsteps of Mo Salah and Mohamed Elneny and earn a big money move to Britain. The fact they all share the same name, meanwhile, is strictly coincidental.

HITC sources told us that he has piqued Southampton’s interest, with his tally of ten goals and eleven assists in the Swiss Super League appealing to a side with one of the English top flight’s most blunt attacks.

At 22, Elyounoussi has plenty of time on his side. And, as a technical and versatile attacker, he certainly seems the prototype Southampton signing.

Interest confirmed

Although he’d surely cost more than the £2 million Celtic reportedly offered in January last year, as reported by the Sunday Post. Elyounoussi was making waves in his homeland with Norway at the time and it’s fair to say Celtic were more than aware of his potential.

After all, he netted against them both home and away as Molde did the double over Celtic in the 2015/16 Europa League group stage.

And the attacker admitted that The Bhoys had indeed made an approach, as reported by the Scottish Sun.

18 months on, he’d be an even better addition. Playing out wide or through the middle, Elyounoussi is a remarkably reliable goalscorer who would offer Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers plenty of options and cutting edge in the final third.

He could replace departing loanee Patrick Roberts or even battle Leigh Griffiths and Moussa Dembele for a place in the striker’s position.

The question, however, is whether they could afford him these days. After taking his game to another level at Basel, they will not let him leave on the cheap.