Celtic played Mubarak Wakaso in a wider role though he’d surely form an integral part of Steve Bruce’s Aston Villa midfield.
Ghana’s Wakaso Mubarak
Avid La Liga anoraks would be well within their rights to look a little puzzled as Mubarak Wakaso looks set to spark a bidding war over in England. Not only did the Ghanaian struggle to impress on a regular basis at Las Palmas in 2015/16, he also managed just one goal in one assist during eleven games at doomed Granada last season.
Yet, six yellow cards and a red at least suggest he possessed some semblance of fighting spirit – a quality seemingly lacking at the Estadio Nuevo Carmenes during the short-lived reign of tweed-suited Tony Adams.
However, according to GhanaSoccerNet, the Panathinaikos-owned midfielder could be on the move again this summer. Championship duo Aston Villa and Reading are reportedly interested, as are Premier League outfit Swansea City.
And GhanaWeb claim that Stoke have now launched a £3.5 million bid for a player who has turned out for seven different clubs in five years.
Why Wakaso?
Therefore, the 26-year-old could soon be embarking on a second spell on British shores. Though you’d be forgiven for remembering that the 49-time Ghana international once wore the green and white of Celtic.
Arriving on loan from Rubin Kazan in the 2014/15 season, Wakaso featured in just five Scottish Premiership encounters and failed to make a notable impression. Though a powerful and tenacious midfielder with a ferocious left-foot, Wakaso quickly became yet another disappointing signing during the Ronny Deila era.
The question, however, is whether he could make a far more positive impression this time around. Aston Villa, in particular, could be an excellent environment as Steve Bruce’s side would surely benefit from an athletic and highly-energetic enforcer to provide the platform for the more cerebral talents of Connor Hourihane and Henri Lansbury.
Furthermore, although his disappointing spell at Celtic may raise a few alarm bells, Villa should remember that Wakaso, at the time, was viewed as a speedy winger rather than a tenacious midfielder. He was often played out wide by Deila, failing to make an impression.
However, a role at the centre of Bruce’s preferred three-man midfield could suit him down to the ground.
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