Celtic Nears Loan Deal for Chelsea's Landon Emenalo
Celtic are closing in on a season-long loan for Chelsea teenager Landon Emenalo as Martin O’Neill’s rebuild gathers serious pace.
The 18-year-old has been lined up as cover and competition for Kieran Tierney at left-back and is expected to become the latest fresh face through the door at Celtic Park, according to Stephen McGowan of The Herald.
Emenalo, son of former Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo, has come through the Stamford Bridge academy and already carries an international twist to his profile, having represented both England and the United States at youth level.
He has been viewed in various roles during his development – midfielder, central defender – but caught the eye at left-back in three of Chelsea’s pre-season outings under Xabi Alonso. Those performances have pushed him onto Celtic’s radar at exactly the moment O’Neill wants another option on that flank.
O’Neill’s overhaul gathers speed
The move for Emenalo drops into the middle of a frantic period of business in Glasgow’s east end.
Celtic have already sealed a £6million deal for Egyptian winger Haissem Hassan, who has signed a four-year contract with an option for a further season. German Under-21 midfielder Mika Baur has travelled to Glasgow and is set to undergo a medical as he closes in on his own switch.
They join an intake that already includes Camilo Duran and Danish striker Kasper Høgh, with Hassan, Baur and Emenalo all in line to be involved ahead of next week’s Champions League play-off first leg against LASK Linz. O’Neill wanted reinforcements before that tie. He is getting them.
The manager has been clear that this is not a scattergun spree. He has repeatedly stressed a preference for quality over quantity, and the club are still hunting a goalkeeper to round out the spine of his squad.
Big offers, bigger decisions
While the arrivals stack up, Celtic’s resolve is being tested at the other end of the market.
West Ham are expected to come back with an improved package worth £25million for Arne Engels, a bid that would force a serious conversation in the boardroom if it lands.
On the opposite flank, Celtic are digging in. They are reluctant to part with Alistair Johnston despite interest from Everton, and are understood to value the Canadian right-back at more than £15million. Everton are now weighing up other options as they gauge whether to push harder.
So O’Neill’s summer is finely poised: a new left-back from Chelsea on the way, key wide defenders attracting Premier League money, and a Champions League play-off looming. How much change can this squad absorb before that first whistle against LASK Linz?
