Scottish Premiership champions Celtic have been handed a boost in their pursuit of the £9 million-rated Fausto Vera with Argentinos Juniors president Cristian Malaspina telling Radio Punto that the midfielder could be sold.
Vera, a 22-year-old Argentina youth star, idolises Javier Mascherano.
And that should tell you almost all you need to know about a man who, following Vinicius Souza’s sudden switch to Espanyol, appears to have become Celtic’s priority target as Ange Postecoglou looks to bring a tough-tackling, deep-lying defensive midfielder to Parkhead (HBVL).
But there’s more to Vera’s game than ankle-crunching slide tackles. At just 5ft 9ins, he is smaller than Souza – and Nir Bitton, for that matter – but uses his diminutive frame to excellent effect. Vera is mobile, relentlessly positive with the ball at his feet and is also not afraid to let fly from distance.
“He is a great central midfielder,” Argentine reporter Alejandro Giordano tells Lance.
“He has a good command of the ball, short and long passes. And, in the last few months, he has started to score more goals. He is very complete. The best player of the Argentinos Juniors and one of the best in the Argentine League.”
‘One of the best’ in the league, yes. But not irreplaceable.
Despite valuing Vera at around £9 million, the precarious financial situation facing Argentinos Juniors means the academy graduate could be sold for closer to £5 million. Belgian giants Genk are keen, Corinthians have made a bid, and the ball is now in Celtic’s court as the race heats up.
Celtic want Argentinos Juniors star Fausto Vera
“Nobody is irreplaceable,” says president Malaspina. “In addition, (defensive midfield) is a position in which we are well covered. We are calm.”
Malaspina appears to be holding onto hope that Vera would be allowed to return to Argentinos Juniors on loan until the domestic campaign finishes in the autumn. It seems unlikely that Celtic would be so willing to accept such a proposal, however.
It takes time to adapt to Postecoglou’s style of play. And a full pre-season is integral to his Vera’s adaptation in Glasgow.
“It is a possibility that we sell and that he stays,” Malaspino adds. “It is not easy, but it is a possibility.
“(Vera) has been with us for a long time. As a club, when there is an offer that cannot be refused, we have to negotiate.
“It would be the ideal scenario. Sell him and let him stay. But on the other hand, there is also a club that comes to buy him, with expectations and goals. We are working (on it).”
Interestingly, Vera is part of the same Stellar Group Agency who represent Fraser Forster, Odsonne Edouard, Scott Bain, Scott Sinclair, Tom Rogic and the aforementioned Bitton.
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