BARCELONA left-back Alex Valle is expected to sign a one-season loan deal with Celtic to solve Brendan Rodgers’ No.3 problem spot.
The 20-year-old defender, who has just agreed a 12-month contract extension at the Spanish giants, will have a medical today before the deal gets the green light.
The move will cost the champions a £1.3million loan fee and they will also pick up a percentage of the versatile operator’s wages at the Catalan outfit.
BY THE LEFT…Greg Taylor in action during Celtic’s 3-0 win over St Mirren in Paisley.
Valle, a former Spanish Under-19 international, could find himself included in the champions’ matchday squad for the first derby of the season at a 60,000 sell-out Parkhead on Sunday.
Rodgers has struggled for cover for Greg Taylor on the left of his back four and right-sided Anthony Ralston came on for the Scotland squad player in the 74th minute of the Hoops’ 3-0 win over St Mirren in Paisley yesterday.
Valle has been involved in Barca’s recent first-team squads and has featured on the substitutes’ bench, but the club feel he will benefit with the possibility of more game time elsewhere and have given the okay for the temporary switch to Celtic, according to a report in Mundo Deportivo.
The versatile youngster can also fill in on the opposite flank and will be seen as a valuable squad member for the challenges at home and abroad.
The Hoops have been without a recognised back-up for the No.3 slot since Rodgers allowed Alexandro Bernabei to leave in March on a loan to Brazilian club SC Nacional until the end of the year.
CHAMPIONS RELENTLESS IN THE RAIN
