Celtic miss out on player they were ‘close’ to signing, medical planned

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Scottish Premiership champions Celtic look set to miss out on Christopher Scott with the Bayern Munich youngster set to undergo a medical at Royal Antwerp, as reported by Voetbal Krant.

Just a few days after Marc Roca left the Allianz Arena for a fresh start at Leeds United, Scott looks increasingly likely to follow in his footsteps.

Now, their respective situations are not exactly identical. Roca arrived for £13 million after an excellent spell in La Liga while 20-year-old Scott has just half an hour of Bundesliga football under his belt. But if Roca could not force his way into a star-studded Bayern midfield, then what chance did Scott have?

The Cologne-born Germany youth star is a footballer of undoubted potential. He’s not been labelled the ‘new Kai Havertz’ for nothing. Skilful and elegant, blessed with quick feet and a fearsome turn of pace, Scott produced seven goals and six assists from attacking midfield for Bayern’s reserve team in 2021/22.

But the £20 million arrival of Ryan Gravenberch from Ajax brought an end to his already slim hopes of a first-team role under Julian Nagelsmann. Gravenberch joins Jamal Musiala, Leon Goretzka and Thomas Muller, pushing Scott even further down the pecking order.

As a result, Scott is now expected to depart even after Bayern triggered the one-year extension clause in his contract.

Celtic miss out on Bayern Munich’s Christopher Scott

Scott will reportedly sign a long-term deal with Royal Antwerp after undergoing medical tests (HLN). The Great Old finished fourth in Belgium’s Jupiler League last term and will hope to build on that in 2022/23, after the high-profile appointment of former PSV boss Mark van Bommel.

Dutch international Vincent Janssen has joined Radja Nainggolan in Antwerp, with Toby Alderweireld potentially on his way too.

Scott’s impending switch to the Bosuilstadion comes just a couple of weeks after Celtic were reported to be closing in on a bargain £250,000 deal for Scott. Then again, regular first-team football would hardly have been guaranteed at Parkhead either.

Especially with Reo Hatate, David Turnbull and Matt O’Riley already competing for an attacking midfield berth.