Celtic must land Vinicius Souza

Celtic noticed one among their largest heroes wave goodbye to the membership final 12 months as Scott Brown introduced an end to his 14 years at Parkhead.

In 611 appearances for the Hoops, the midfielder scored 46 objectives, delivered 63 assists and received quite a few trophies alongside the way in which.

His defensive work was additionally essential for the staff – for instance, all through his remaining Premiership marketing campaign at Celtic earlier than joining Aberdeen, Brown made 46 interceptions and received 30 tackles.

Now that the Hoops’ first season with out their midfield hero has ended, the present summer time switch window might give Ange Postecoglou the prospect to herald what might be a super subsequent model of the Parkhead legend.

One participant with whom the membership have been linked not too long ago and who might match this specific invoice is Vinicius Souza.

The 23-year-old, who’s at present on the books at Belgian membership Lommel, spent final season on loan at fellow Belgian facet Mechelen. Throughout his mortgage marketing campaign, he confirmed why he might be a super candidate to be a long-term alternative for Brown at Celtic.

In 27 league video games, the Brazilian received extra tackles (66) and made extra interceptions (64) than another participant at Mechelen. To place that into perspective, that is comfortably extra interceptions and extra tackles than any player at Celtic made in final season’s Premiership marketing campaign.

This additionally backs up why the midfielder was labelled as being “head and shoulders above the remainder” of the gamers within the Belgian league, in keeping with Steven Defour.

Would Vinicius Souza be an excellent signing for Celtic?

With a reported price ticket of between €8m (£6.8m) and €9m (£7.7m), hanging a deal for the Brazilian must be on the prime of Celtic’s to-do record earlier than the switch window closes.

Having additionally seen Nir Bitton and Tom Rogic leave Parkhead not too long ago, this solely reinforces the necessity for the Scottish champions to deliver a dominant new midfield determine to the membership within the coming weeks.

Whereas Souza would have so much to do if he’s to duplicate the impression that Brown had throughout his time with the Bhoys, the Lommel midfielder actually seems to have what it takes to switch the 36-year-old’s defensive qualities on the pitch.

In different information: Contact made as Celtic eye transfer for £4m “Rolls Royce”, he could be Ange’s subsequent Carter-Vickers