Celtic hope to sign Sidnei Tavares on a bargain deal from Leicester City although The Sun believes Barcelona have a “gentleman’s agreement” with the young midfielder.
If Hoops fans were still seething about being left in the lurch by Rodgers almost two years ago, raiding the Foxes for one of their most talented youngsters would represent at least some measure of payback.
Leicester have yet to open talks with Tavares over a new deal, with the 19-year-old’s current contract due to expire in a matter of months. The Portugal youth international is a cousin of former Manchester United star Nani.
You’d imagine Rodgers wouldn’t be too happy to see the technically gifted midfielder go, however.
Tavares may not have forced his way into the Premier League picture yet but he certainly caught the manager’s eye during pre-season.
“Sidnei Tavares in the first half was outstanding. He’s got real quality and he’s a real talent,” Rodgers said after a friendly victory over Birmingham City, via the Mercury.
“We’ve now got to bring him up to the level where he’s a working talent so he has that hunger when he hasn’t got the ball.”
Leicester’s lack of movement on a deal has opened the door for a whole host of suitors, with Porto, Bayern Munich and Juventus interested. Barcelona, meanwhile, are apparently leading the race and have a “gentleman’s agreement” with Tavares ahead of a potential summer move to Camp Nou.
Celtic haven’t given up hope yet, of course.
And nor should they. As Rodgers himself says, Tavares is an “outstanding” talent and it’s not often players with such vast potential are available for free.
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