Celtic have made a €2.5m offer for Royal Antwerp right-back Aurelio Buta, according to journalist Ekrem Konur.
The Lowdown: Buta profiled
Buta is 24 years of age and has been with his current employers since 2018.
The right-back, also capable of playing as a right-midfielder or a right-winger, is into the final 12 months of his Antwerp deal worth £4,500-a-week.
He’s made 107 appearances for the Belgian side, scoring twice and registering 18 assists.
Buta is actually ranked the 13th-fastest player on FIFA 21 with a pace attribute of 94, and it seems as if the Hoops now want to bring him to Parkhead.
The Latest: Celtic’s bid
According to Konur, the Hoops have offered Antwerp €2.5m (£2.14m) for Buta.
Ange Postecoglou wants a move for Buta to be completed ‘as soon as possible’, however, Antwerp are holding out for €3.5m – just shy of £3m.
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The Verdict: Pay the fee
Celtic are in dire need of right-back reinforcements with Anthony Ralston and Lee O’Connor Postecoglou’s only options at this moment in time.
Konur believes the Hoops boss wants a deal wrapped up ASAP, and should that be the case, Celtic should cough up another £850,000 to match Antwerp’s asking price.
Such a deal would be just short of £3m, still under Buta’s Transfermarkt valuation, so it could still turn out to be a shrewd move.
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He would also give Postecoglou the option to play him further forward, with Buta even turning out as a centre-forward on one occasion during his career.
Celtic need to up their offer and get Buta through the door.
In other news: Celtic now offered fee more than Dembele’s for Edouard; reporter shares ‘evolving situation’.