Celtic may be in the market for a new striker this summer. However, the name Jorge Benguche likely wasn’t on the wish list for many supporters.
The Bhoys will be battling to keep hold of Odsonne Edouard. The Frenchman has hit 27 goals and 19 assists this season, and is wanted by a number of Premier League clubs.
Neil Lennon also has Leigh Griffiths and January signing Patryk Klimala, but if he wants to stick with his 3-5-2 system, then another striker may be needed – especially with Vakoun Issouf Bayo seemingly a misfit.
Earlier this week, La Prensa in Honduras reported that Celtic are in the race to sign Olimpia striker Jorge Benguche, alongside Belenenses and Cagliari.
Benguche, 24, has impressed in the CONCACAF Champions League, with his displays against Montreal Impact and Seattle Sounders seemingly turning heads.
Ex-Celtic left back Emilio Izaguirre should be familiar with Benguche from international duty, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he had recommended the striker to the Bhoys.
Benguche is a big, physical striker who has hit 33 goals for Olimpia since joining in 2016. He is far from a well-known name, but he has now been praised by international teammate Jonathan Rubio.
Tondela ace Rubio told La Prensa that he would love to see Benguche joining him in Portugal amid those links to Belenenses, but added that Benguche is an ‘excellent player’ with impressive technique and strength whilst predicting a big move for him ‘sooner or later’.
“Here in Portugal, there was talk that Belenenses have an interest in Benguche,” said Rubio. “He is an excellent player with good technique and strength. Sooner or later he will make the leap.”
“In Honduras there are many talents, we are blessed by God and good players always come out. We hope that many colleagues can come here and I hope that Benguche will be one of them,” he added.
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