Bristol City’s Joe Bryan price-tag could push Celtic towards Miquel Nelom

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Celtic need a new left-back and have identified Bristol City’s Joe Bryan and Feyenoord’s Miquel Nelom as potential additions.

Kieran Tierney may be one of the most exciting prospects to emerge through the ranks at Celtic for many a year but that does not mean Celtic should not look for an alternative option on the left hand side of their defence.

After long-serving Emilio Izaguirre swapped the Parkhead bench for the glamour of Al-Fayha, Celtic’s need for reinforcements has increased.

According to the Scottish Sun on Tuesday, Feyernoord’s Eredivisie winning left-back Miquel Nelom was one of the players on Celtic’s radar. With just a year remaining on his contract, the two-time Dutch international would be available for £1 million.

However, he was a bit-part player for Feyenoord last season, making just 12 league starts as they lifted the Eredivisie trophy for the first time since 1999.

Joe Bryan, in comparison, may be a far more exciting addition and The Mirror claim Celtic are interested. While Nelom is renowned for his defensive solidity and versatility, Bristol City flyer Bryan is the sort of full-back that gets fans off their seats.

Club record fee for a second choice left-back?

An excellent attacking outlet for The Robins over the last few seasons, Bryan is one of the first names on their team-sheet so it’s little surprise that they would demand a hefty fee for his signature, as reported by Somerset Live.

Amid speculation that Leeds and Newcastle United are both plotting a move, the report claims Lee Johnson’s side would demand a fee of £10 million. Just for context, the most Celtic have ever paid for a player is the £6 million they spent on John Hartson 16 years ago.

Therefore, it appears that Celtic have been priced out with Bristol City ramping up their valuation in order to keep suitors’ grubby mits off one of their key players.

You’d get long odds on Bryan joining Celtic this summer. Nelom may not be quite as exciting going forward but, for £9 million cheaper, you can’t argue with the value.