Celtic make more sense than Aston Villa for Omar Elabdellaoui

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Celtic continue to be linked with Omar Elabdellaoui.

Omar Elabdellaoui has already had two spells in British football, but a third could be on the horizon for the Olympiacos right back.

The Daily Mail report that Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Burnley, Celtic, Leicester City and Watford all want him, with some having scouts to watch him in action for Norway against Romania.

Elabdellaoui started that game, which finished in a 1-1 draw, and it’s no great surprise that he’s attracting major interest based on his time in Greece.

Last season, the 27-year-old hit five goals and seven assists, a hugely impressive return for a right back, and whilst the report claims he’s out of contract next summer, his deal actually ends in 2021.

Elabdellaoui has been on the books of Manchester City and Hull City in the past, and whilst Aston Villa appear to be keen on handing him a Premier League return, joining Celtic may actually make more sense.

Villa have two right backs already. Frenchman Frederic Guilbert is impressing this season having arrived from Caen, with his attacking displays really catching the eye, whilst Villa only handed a new deal to Ahmed Elmohamady in August.

It seems unlikely that Elabdellaoui would get the playing time he deserves, with Guilbert the clear first choice, and heading there to fight with those two right backs doesn’t seem like the best idea at this stage in his career.

Conversely, Celtic have Moritz Bauer on loan until next summer, and Hatem Abd Elhamed’s versatility to play at centre back means there is still room for a first-choice right back to come and take over the role at Parkhead. Lee O’Connor and Jeremie Frimpong could be prospects for the future, but that shouldn’t stop a move for Elabdellaoui, who would really add attacking ability and solid defensive play in what has been a problem position for the Bhoys.

Joining fellow Norwegian Kristoffer Ajer could be appealing, whilst Mohamed Elyounoussi would no doubt give a positive recommendation given that he is on loan at Celtic this season.

Playing time has to be the key for Elabdellaoui after hitting the best form of his career with Olympiacos, and with Celtic more likely to offer European qualification too, a move to Parkhead may actually be the better choice over Villa.