Celtic are reported to have made a move to sign Shane Duffy on loan.
The defender signed a long term contract with Brighton in October but spent most of the second half of the season watching from the bench as Graham Potter overhauled the side that he inherited from Chris Hughton.
Duffy was linked with Celtic in 2016 when he left Blackburn Rovers with Stephen McGowan, who seems close to the nerve-centre of Celtic’s transfer activity reporting that interest being re-ignited.
The Daily Mail reports:
Celtic are locked in a battle with West Ham, West Brom and Burnley for Republic of Ireland defender Shane Duffy.
The Parkhead club are close to securing a £5million deal for Albian Ajeti after the Swiss striker flew into Glasgow on Wednesday morning.
And Sportsmail understands no nonsense defender Duffy discussed a one year loan deal with Neil Lennon earlier this week.
Under contract until 2023, the 28-year-old is keen on a season in the SPFL. However, a deal remains a long way off and depends on the clubs finding a compromise over a loan fee and wages.
West Ham and West Brom could probably pay more as a transfer or loan fee but a deal with Celtic means that Duffy won’t be operating in the same division as his parent club.
Chris Jullien and Kris Ajer are the only recognised central defenders at Celtic, the arrival of Duffy would create serious competition but also give Neil Lennon the option to switch to a back three.
Derry-raised Duffy has built a reputation as a defender who loves to defend while carrying a serious goal threat from set-pieces. The Irish internationalist has regularly referenced Celtic in his social media comments.
That’s the kind of Centre half I want at Celtic
— Lloyd Patrick Jepson (@lloydybhoy90) August 13, 2020
Would be a good signing for us.
— Darren (@91Andersonnn) August 12, 2020
Class
— MickeyMack (@MMacck2) August 13, 2020
