Should Celtic join the race for Aston Villa’s Tommy Elphick?
Aston Villa centre-back Tommy Elphick has been linked with a move away from the club this summer and his omission from the pre-season trip to Germany might be another indicator that his future lies away from Villa Park.
The arrivals of Christopher Samba and John Terry appears to have pushed him closer to an exit in the West Midlands and several Championship clubs are rumoured to be interested.
But with Celtic needing a centre-back, should Brendan Rodgers bring him up North?
The Northern Irishman has only two fit, recognised central defenders – Jozo Simunovic and Erik Sviatchenko – after Dedryck Boyata was ruled out for three months earlier in July.
A move for Steven Caulker has been mooted, given that Rodgers worked with him at Swansea City, but Elphick would be a safer option.
The Aston Villa man, who joined from Premier League side Bournemouth last season, would not be as much of a risk as Caulker, whose off-the-field issues have been well documented over the past month or so.
With the Villans seemingly looking to sell, they would not hold Celtic to ransom over a transfer fee and Rodgers, should certainly explore him as an option. He wouldn’t cost the £3 million he did this time last year, with BBC Sport providing that figure.
He has two years left on his contract and Celtic could, and probably will, have the carrot of Champions League football to offer – a luxury that will be afforded very few Championship players during their respective careers – and he might well consider the Hoops.
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