CELTIC have stepped up their bid to strengthen the left-back position with a second move for Wolves’ Hugo Bueno.
Brendan Rodgers failed in an attempt to persuade the Midlands club to release the Spanish Under-21 international in a loan deal at the turn of the year.
However, with the Premiership kick-off against Kilmarnock at Parkhead a week on Sunday coming up fast, the Hoops gaffer realises he urgently requires back up for Greg Taylor.
Bueno has made 49 appearances for the Molineux outfit – scoring one goal – since joining the club’s academy from Areosa in 2019.
LONE CELT…Greg Taylor is the only recognised experienced left-back at the champions.
He ticks all the boxes for Rodgers, but the Hoops will find competition from Championship side Norwich City who are also desperately seeking a new No.3.
Bueno was one of the champions’ top targets back in January with the club preparing to offload £3.75million misfit Alexandro Bernabei who had failed to impress the Irishman in his fleeting first-team appearances.
The Argentinian defender moved to Brazilian club SC Internacional in March in a temporary transfer which will keep him at the South Americans until the end of the year.
Clearly, there is no future at Parkhead for Bernabei, despite the fact he still has three years to run on his contact after Ange Postecoglou bought him from top-flight Lanus in July 2022.
Sergio Gomez was another name on Rodgers’ wish list, but the Barcelona-born full-back quit Manchester City for La Liga side Real Sociedad a fortnight ago in a £7.6million switch.
Ironically, the Spaniards have brought in the 23-year-old back-four operator to fill the void left by ex-Celt Kieran Tierney who returned to Arsenal after making 20 appearances during his loan period.
Leicester City’s Luke Thomas and Liverpool’s Own Beck were two other names mentioned at the turn of the year, but Rodgers’ priority is Bueno.
The boss is also keeping tabs on Burnley’ centre-back Dara O’Shea as he looks to reinforce his rearguard.