Luca Connell has spoken openly about a possible transfer to Celtic.
The teenager made his breakthrough at Bolton in the second half of last season and appears to be out of contract, Connell is on an apprentice deal and refused to sign up onto a professional contract as Bolton headed towards administration and relegation.
Celtic would only have to pay a minimal development fee for the central defender or defensive midfielder with administrators protecting the club and the interest of their creditors.
Other English clubs would have to pay a greater development fee for Connell with the youth internationalist happy to discuss his options.
“Obviously, everyone knows about Celtic,” he told the Irish Mirror. “It’s a massive club. It would be an honour to represent them if that’s what the final decision was. I’m keeping my options open and hopefully I can get one in the next few weeks.
“As you read in the media, they all sound ‘strong’. One day, one’s leading it and the next the other one’s leading it. So I’ll leave that to my agent and sort that out. The agent gives you an idea, they give you pros and cons but the final decision is mine and I just hope that’s the right one. I’m sure it will be.”
Asked if Celtic appeals to him, Connell said: “Anywhere would appeal if it was a good move and it was right for me and I enjoyed it. There have been quite a few teams involved, but teams come and go by the day.
“You’ve just got to see which ones stick by you and take your chance on one and hope that’s the right one for you – I’m sure it will be.”
Connell was born in Liverpool but has been part of the Irish international set up over the last two seasons and trained with Mick McCarthy’s full squad in the build up to the end of season European Championship qualifiers.
Last season he made 10 Championship appearances for Bolton, making his top team debut as a 17-year-old.
Turnbull still confident, this is the definition of a saga!https://t.co/f4FvMKchNy
— Joe McHugh (@videocelts) June 26, 2019
