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Celtic face a tough task to sign Damian Bobadilla with Brentford and Real Betis the latest two clubs named in the race.
Reporters in South America have confirmed that Celtic are interested in Bobadilla, a 24-year-old midfielder who plays for Sao Paulo.
Now in his third year with the Brazilian giants, he is being tipped for a move to Europe. Brighton have also been credited with an interest in the Paraguay international.
As reported in Somos in Brazil, Brentford are now monitoring Bobadilla closely.
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Credit: Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images Celtic’s difficult task to sign Damian Bobadilla
The midfielder wouldn’t come cheap, and given the financial might of the other clubs in the race, Celtic would likely need a serious investment to secure his signature.
Betis’ well-established history of signing players from Latin America would also work against the Hoops.
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If Brighton and Brentford are both chasing you, then your underlying stats are probably saying good things.
The Latin American market seems to be an increasing focus for Celtic, with Mexican duo Ali Avila and Armando Gonzalez both also being linked in recent weeks.
Uruguayan winger Nacho Laquintana was a well-documented link in January, whilst Marcelo Saracchi’s loan move from Boca Juniors could well be made permanent.
SĂŁo Paulo have made a storming start to the BrasileirĂŁo season, currently sitting top of the league after going unbeaten in their first six games.
They’ve done this despite making a managerial change, sacking legendary striker Hernan Crespo and replacing him with Roger Machado, the man who joked that he was going to tie Alexandro Bernabei to a chair during his excellent spell on loan at Internacional from Celtic.
Bobadilla has played in all six of those games, starting five. He is set to appear at this summer’s World Cup with Paraguay.
Give us your intial reaction to the Damian Bobadilla links đź‘€
Credit: Ricardo Moreira/Getty Images South American expert on Damian Bobadilla to Celtic links
Speaking exclusively to 67 Hail Hail, South American football expert Nathan Joyes said of Bobadilla: “Dangerous around the opponent’s final third, Bobadilla enjoys a long strike from range, but also thrives when pressing high and getting into areas that will hurt the opponent – both when in and out of possession.
“A creative outlet but one that isn’t shy to help his team out, Bobadilla has shown more at international level that he can be technical but work hard defensively too.
“If you were to force a negative from me, his defensive numbers could be improved, but it isn’t his main role – allow Bobadilla to play and have a free role and he’ll excel.”
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