Why Celtic should make a move for Atletico Madrid starlet Rodrigo Riquelme
According to a report from The Scottish Sun, Celtic are keeping tabs on Atletico Madrid winger Rodrigo Riquelme with a view of signing him when the transfer window opens.
Riquelme started out his youth career at the youth academy of Real Zaragoza and spent time at Rayo Vallecano as well, before linking up with the Atletico Madrid youth setup. The 20-year-old has been part of the Atletico Madrid U19 side for a couple of years now and has become a regular member of the B team this season.
The versatile winger also broke into the Rojiblancos’ first-team in 2019/20, making his debut in a La Liga clash against Eibar. He has another appearance for the senior team in a Copa del Rey clash against Cultural Leonesa.
Meanwhile, Celtic have had another solid season that is set to end with silverware. Neil Lennon’s side are at the top of the Scottish Premiership and have already won the Scottish League Cup.
While the Hoops have been dominant in domestic competitions once again, their quest for European success continues to yield no success. They were eliminated from the Europa League by Danish outfit FC Copenhagen.
In order to change that next season and maintain their domestic superiority, Lennon & co. will need to strengthen the squad in all departments. The wide areas are something that the club should look to reinforce heading into the new season.
Daniel Arzani’s loan deal is set to expire at the end of the season, as will Mohamed Elyounoussi’s. This would leave Lennon with just James Forrest, Jonny Hayes, Mikey Johnston and Maryan Shved as the options on the wings. None of them, apart from Forrest, has been regulars in the first-team this season.
While Hayes, at 32, is entering the final years of his career, Johnston has been blighted by injuries. Shved, on the other hand, has hardly featured since September last year, having struggled to adapt to life in Scotland. So it is imperative for Lennon and Celtic to recruit a new winger come summer.
Riquelme would be a viable addition to that end. The Atletico Madrid youngster may not have made a host of first-team appearances, but has shown good form with the B team, having managed five goals and two assists in 21 appearances. The winger also has two goals and four assists in 7 UEFA Youth League games for the U19 side.
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Young and bursting with potential, signing Riquelme would help Celtic add depth to a key area on the field, where they would be short in numbers next season. What makes the 20-year-old an even more enticing prospect is that he will be available on a free transfer, with his contract with Atletico expiring at the end of the season.
Verdict
Celtic have had a solid season, but for them to continue their domestic domination and take further steps in Europe, Neil Lennon should strengthen his squad further.
With the loan deals of Daniel Arzani and Mohamed Elyounoussi set to expire, adding Riquelme would add some much-needed depth on the flanks. Hence, the Hoops should ensure that they manage to lure the 20-year-old Atletico starlet in the summer.
