Highly trusted source reveals Celtic’s new defensive transfer target

Celtic are reported to be showing interest in Francisco Ortega of Velez Sarsfeld. 

With the transfer window about to reopen Celtic are expected to get deals tied up before they head to a training camp in Austria at the start of July. 

Greg Taylor was virtually unchallenged at left-back during the second half of the season with that position likely to be a priority for Ange Postecoglou as he prepares for his second season in charge of the Scottish champions. 

Stephen McGowan of the Daily Mail has a strong track record on Celtic transfer matters, in today’s Daily Mail he reports: 

Celtic are exploring a move for Argentinian Under-23 international left-back Francisco Ortega. 

And the newly crowned Scottish champions are also keen to step up their efforts to sign Portuguese winger Jota in a permanent £6.5million deal. 

In the market for another option at left-back, 23-year-old Velez Sarsfeld defender Ortega has been the subject of positive scouting reports. 

Selected for the South American Under-20 Championships he also performed in the Under-20 World Cup, earning a call-up for the Under-23 Olympic team. 

With Boli Bolingoli likely to leave the club this summer, Ange Postecoglou wants to provide competition for Scotland international Greg Taylor. 

The Parkhead boss has also received scouting reports on Iraqi left-back Mohanad Jeahze with reports in Sweden claiming Hammarby are already scouring the market for a replacement. 

A work permit could be an issue for an Argentian player coming to Scotland but in January Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda and Yosuke Ideguchi were allowed to join Celtic with very little experience at full international level. 

Ortega is under contract with Velez Sarsfeld until December 2024 but the lure of Europe with a Champions League side is likely to be strong with his club unlikely to stand in the way of a good transfer fee with a built in sell-on clause. 

News of Celtic’s interest could also be a message to Hammarby that there are other targets as well as Mohanad Jeahze. 

CLICK HERE for Ortega’s Transfermarkt profile.