Reported Celtic and Rangers target Oscar Gloukh is valued at around £5 million by Maccabi Tel Aviv and currently in talks with French giants Monaco, the Israel international’s agent tells Sport5.
Understandably, given that he is probably the most exciting young talent to emerge from Israeli football since Yossi Benayoun two decades ago, Gloukh’s future is being handled with a great deal of care.
The last thing Maccabi or his representatives want is to see such a ‘special player’ join the wrong club at such a key point in his development.
“Once in a generation, a player like Oskar Gloch emerges. Decisions about his future should be thought out in a good way. He is a very special player,” says agent Shahar Greenberg.
“The best thing for Oskar Gloch is to stay at Maccabi Tel Aviv until the end of the season. I reckon that’s what will happen. (But) if the right offer comes, then things can change.”
Celtic and Rangers like Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Israel midfielder Oscar Gloukh
According to The Sun, Gloukh caught Rangers’ eye during the U19 European Championships last summer; firing Israel into the final with his virtuoso performances from attacking midfield. Old Firm neighbours Celtic are keeping keeping tabs on the balletic 18-year-old too (Sport5). Celtic have already signed Gloukh’s compatriot Liel Abada.
Celtic, in particular, appear to be a more-than suitable destination too. Ange Postecoglou is a superb developer of young talent, after all, with Abada, Jota, Anthony Ralston, Matt O’Riley and co going from strength-to-strength at the Scottish Premiership champions. Gloukh’s swashbuckling style would also fit in nicely at Parkhead.
One club currently in negotiations with Gloukh, Greenberg adds, are Monaco. The 2017 Ligue 1 giants, like Celtic, have a proven track record in youth development. Monaco gave us Kylian Mbappe, Bernardo Silva and Fabinho after all.
“His real value is a little more than 6 million euros,” the agent says. “The question is where he will go. Maccabi Tel Aviv will also agree to sell him for less if it is to a club that can develop him. So that, in the future, Maccabi will have a percentage of a future sale.
“Oscar needs to go to a place that will give him the tools to develop and go forward. We are still talking to Monaco, let’s see if there will be progress against them.”
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