Vinicius Souza admits the chance to play La Liga football was central to his decision to choose Espanyol over Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic during the summer of 2022, speaking to El Mundo.
While Joselu is undoubtedly Espanyol’s very own goalscoring superhero, do not underestimate the importance of Souza to their survival hopes. The Robin to Joselu’s Batman, no player in Spain’s top flight averages more than his 3.6 successful tackles per game (WhoScored).
Considering that Celtic lack genuine cover for Callum McGregor in the number six role – with Postecoglou’s roster full of distributors but short on destroyers – Souza could potentially have been an inspired addition to a Hoops side who arguably need a bit more midfield metal if they are to make serious progress on the European stage in particular.
Celtic had talks with Souza’s representatives planned last summer (Daily Mail). The former Flamengo starlet preferred to test himself against some of Europe’s biggest and best, however, joining Espanyol instead.
Espanyol beat Celtic to Vinicius ‘Vini’ Souza
“I did hear a lot about the club. I always watched a lot of La Liga games. And when they told me they wanted to sign me, I decided to forget about everything else and came to Barcelona,” Souza explains.
“There was something inside me that called me to sign for Espanyol.”
Souza, reportedly valued at around £8 million, made his name in Belgium, shining during a spell at KV Mechelen last term. 60 per cent of his rights, meanwhile, are owned by the City Football Group. Maintain his current rate of progress and perhaps Pep Guardiola’s Premier League champions will begin to take note of a man who has made the step up to life on Spanish soil like the proverbial duck to water.
Some reports have suggested that Souza has ‘agreed’ a move to Wolves.
The man himself is playing down those claims, however; insisting that he would ‘love’ to sign a long-term deal at Espanyol.
“Of course (I want to stay)! I can’t talk too much about it, because it’s not in my hands. But I’d love to stay,” Souza says.
“I prefer not to think about (a move away) right now. Right now, my head is completely focused on Espanyol and the league.
“Yes, it is true that I have been listening to things. But right now, I don’t care. My mind is 100 per cent on this club.”
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