Scottish Premiership champions Celtic reportedly wanted Swiss centre-back Fabian Schar before he moved to the Premier League with Newcastle United.
Celtic will have to set aside quite a lot of money as Brendan Rodgers aims to bring a new centre-back to Glasgow in the January transfer window.
The Mail reports that Celtic are hoping to sign Aberdeen’s Scott McKenna (above) after seeing a bid rejected by The Dons in August, despite the fact that the Scotland international is valued at £10 million, according to the Daily Record. This would make McKenna the most expensive signing in The Hoops’ history.
And the Scottish Premiership champions will have to pay a substantial fee too for Middlesbrough’s England U21 international Dael Fry who, according to TEAMtalk, is also a mid-season target.
But Celtic could have solved their central defensive problem, and saved themselves a few million, by sealing the deal for Fabian Schar when they had the chance.
El Desmarque reported in May that the Hoops were keen to sign the Swiss international after Deportivo La Coruna were relegated from La Liga – but he joined Newcastle United two months later when The Magpies triggered his £3.5 million release clause.
And Schar’s performance in Newcastle’s 2-1 win at Burnley on Monday night highlights just what a bargain he could be – and should have Celtic fans wondering what might have been.
The 26-year-old impressed on the right of Rafa Benitez’s back three, making a number of impressive interceptions on only his third Premier League start and showcasing the impressive distribution that would have made him a perfect fit for Rodgers’ tactical blueprint north of the border.
Tellingly, Newcastle have only won three Premier League games this season – and Schar has featured in them all.
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