The Brazil international was linked with a sensational switch to Celtic in the summer.
The fact that Celtic are 19 points clear of Old Firm rivals Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership table speaks volumes about Brendan Rodgers’ impact on the green half of Glasgow. Would Moussa Dembele, Scott Sinclair or Kolo Toure, have made the move north without Rodgers in the dugout? The latter duo played under the Northern Irishman at Swansea and Liverpool, after all.
However, it would take more than a good working relationship to convince a player to wave goodbye to a Serie A title and a place in the Champions League knockout phase in January.
Nonetheless, that may not prevent Celtic from reigniting their ambitious approach to bring Juventus playmaker Hernanes to Parkhead after making their interest known in the summer, as reported by Calciomercato.
Gianluca Di Marzio reports that the Brazilian, who has been greeted by rather more boos than cheers from the Juve support, will be allowed to leave this month after making just eight Serie A starts in 2016/17 with Genoa interested in a January move.
Therefore, this may be Celtic’s last chance to swoop for the 31-year-old who, thanks to his superb range of passing and eye for the spectacular, would be one of the most exciting players to grace the Scottish Premiership in many a year.
The 27-time Brazil international, who earned a reputation as one of Europe’s top playmakers with a dazzling three year spell with Lazio, could prove a catalyst for Celtic’s return to the top of the continental game thanks to his Champions League experience and ability to attract other renowned players to Parkhead.
With Hernanes pulling the strings, Celtic could climb to another level. Rodgers may be prioritising young, hungry players with a resale value but the playmaker could prove priceless.
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