Celtic risk losing Bosun Lawal with Premier League club Brentford now interested in signing the Bhoys youngster ahead of the January window.
That’s according to the Daily Mail, who claim that Brentford are tracking Lawal closely and fancy luring him to West London in 2023.
It’s even suggested that Pisa and Hellas Verona are both interested in signing Lawal.
Verona have already raided Scottish football in recent times having signed left back Josh Doig from Hibernian.
This interest in Lawal will now leave Celtic fearing a departure just days after Ange Postecoglou named him on the bench for the senior team.
Lawal was in the matchday squad to face Aberdeen but was an unused substitute.
Postecoglou seemingly rates the 19-year-old every highly but whether that is enough to keep him away from Brentford remains to be seen.
Lawal exit would be a real blow for Celtic
Lawal joined Celtic from Watford back in 2021 having initially emerged with St Kevin’s Boys.
The teenager – who can play for Ireland or Nigeria – can play as a centre back or holding midfielder and has been earning praise.
Lawal has been compared to former Celtic hero Virgil van Dijk by Tom Boyd, and Lawal admitted that he is watching a lot of Van Dijk to improve his game.
Celtic will no doubt hope that Lawal becomes their new Van Dijk over the coming years, but that depends on keeping hold of him.
With three goals and one assist in 11 Lowland League games – as well as two goals and one assist in two Challenge Cup games – Lawal is showing that he can make an impact for Celtic going forward.
It is though no surprise that Lawal is attracting interest, with teams no doubt believing that they can mould Lawal into either a dominant centre back or a midfielder with the legs to get into the box.
That’s an exciting mix and Celtic may need to give Lawal some first-team minutes this season to convince him that the pathway at Parkhead is there.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
