Celtic’s hopes of signing Manchester United defender Tyrell Malacia this month have been handed a major boost.
The Netherlands international has been touted as a potential loan option to help fill the void left by Barcelona loanee Alex Valle’s departure to join Como in Serie A. Brendan Rodgers‘ side have agreed a deal to bring Kieran Tierney back to Parkhead from Arsenal next summer but time is running out for the Hoops to get the defender back in Glasgow this month, with the transfer window slamming shut on Monday night.
Former Feyenoord star Malacia is attracting interest from several teams around Europe, but Fabrizio Romano reports that a potential loan deal to Benfica has fallen through. He adds that the two sides were unable to come to an agreement over a loan fee and the option for the Eredivisie side to sign the player permanently next summer, but that the Red Devils are still looking at options for the left back before the transfer deadline.
Elsewhere, Luis Palma has spoken for the first time after sealing his loan exit from Celtic to join Greek giants Olympiakos. The Honduras international had been linked with a move elsewhere during the whole window having only seen limited game time for the Hoops this season and saw a potential loan move to La Liga outift Rayo Vallecano come apart after the Spanish side were handed a transfer ban by FIFA.
But after teaming up with Piraeus-based Olympiakos – who famously lifted the Europa Conference League with a shock victory over Fiorentina last year – the wide man reckons he has joined the best club in Greece. He said: “I feel privileged to be here. I came to the biggest team in Greece. I hope to contribute to the team’s efforts. I will do my best to help Olympiacos.”
Palma’s departure – which also includes the option of a permanent transfer for around £3.3million has allowed Celtic to hand Jota the number seven jersey left vacant by the winger. Jota, who sealed a sensational £8.4million return to the Premiership champions earlier this month, previously wore the number 17 during his first spell in Glasgow’s East End.