Charly Musonda will finally sign for Scottish Champions Celtic, joining Patrick Roberts in moving to Parkhead from a Premier League giant.
After about eight months of speculation, Charly Musonda will at last become a Celtic player.
It is understood that the fleet-footed Belgian was Brendan Rodgers’ top target during the winter window and the club have made a real statement of intent by backing their manager. While Musonda will not command a transfer fee, it is understood that Celtic have agreed to pay a seven-figure sum to sign him on a temporary basis.
That is quite the show of faith.
But it is not just Musonda’s fearsome natural ability that makes him a potentially superb signing.
It seems that, with the 21-year-old joining for a year-and-a-half, the Hoops have already secured next season’s replacement for Patrick Roberts.
Like Musonda, Roberts is at Parkhead on loan from a Premier League giant, in this case being Manchester City. But the winger, who has been absent since before Christmas with a serious injury, will return to the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season; leaving Celtic one man short in the wide areas.
Until Musonda finally made that trip up to Glasgow anyway.
Although the one-time Real Betis loanee may be used in a more central position by Rodgers, he has the pace, skill and balance to play anywhere across the front and should ensure that Roberts’ exit is not felt as keenly as some might fear.
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