Scottish Premiership champions Celtic have been watching Samir Memisevic in action for Eredivisie outfit Groningen – but what about his Japanese team-mate?
It was only a matter of time before Ritsu Doan started to catch the eye.
Since the start of the 2018/19 season, the little Japanese midfielder has got better and better for a Groningen side struggling at the wrong end of the Eredivisie table.
A bundle of energy blessed with skill, poise and a wonderful shot, 20-year-old Doan was more than deserving of his place on the initial Golden Boy shortlist alongside the likes of Kylian Mbappe and eventual winner Matthijs de Ligt.
According to The Chronicle, Newcastle United have been keeping an eye on the former Gamba Osaka youngster in recent months with the report claiming that he could be available for as little as £1.7 million.
But it is hardly a stretch to suggest that Doan should have caught Celtic’s eye too.
After all, the Scottish Premiership giants have been watching Groningen themselves in recent months with Bosnian centre-back Samir Memisevic the object of their affections. The tough-tackling 25-year-old even admitted to the Daily Record in December that Celtic have made contact.
Though Doan, who has four goals in 16 Eredivisie games this season, is exactly the sort of midfielder Brendan Rodgers likes, blessed with tactical intelligence and the ability to carve open opposition backlines.
So don’t be surprised if Celtic end up rivalling Newcastle for the signature of a player Groningen manager Danny Buis has likened to Dutch international Gini Wijnaldum (VI).
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