CELTIC are ready to brace themselves for an avalanche of Liel Abada transfer speculation all the way through summer.
The Israel international winger, one of Ange Postecoglou’s first recruits for the Hoops when he arrived in a £3.5million deal in July 2021, has already been linked with several clubs in recent months.
Latest team to be reported to be showing an interest in the 21-year-old raider are Ajax who are said to be monitoring his situation at the champions.
HAMPDEN HUGS…Ange Postecoglou smbraces Liel Abada and Matt O’Riley after Celtic’s 2-1 League Cup Final derby triumph in February.
Abada has netted 12 goals this season – including a double in the 4-0 derby romp in September – but has not been an automatic first pick for his manager.
The livewire flanker, currently injured, has made 41 appearances throughout the campaign, but many of those outings have come from the substitutes’ bench.
The Hoops may actually welcome interest from the Amsterdam club who paid a remarkable £22.7million for Ibrox left-back Calvin Bassey last summer.
The figure would have been based on the defender’s performances in Europe, most notably the run to the Europa League Final last term that ended in failure against Eintracht Frankfurt in Seville.
Abada, who is under contract until June 2026, has also had experience of the Champions League and the second-tier tournament which could boost his asking price.
ON THE RUN…Liel Abada displays his attacking menace.
His former club, Maccabi Petah Tikvah, will be on a percentage of the profit of any transfer fee if – or when – the player leaves Glasgow.
English and Portuguese clubs are also said to be circling Abada – as reported on Sky Sports – and there appeared to be a strong link with Southampton who have, of course, been involved in several deals with Celtic in recent years after buying Virgil van Dijk, Fraser Forster, Victor Wanyama and Stuart Armstrong.
However, the south-coast club are teetering on the verge of expulsion from the top flight and a drop into the Championship would certainly veto any interest in the Hoops star.
Overall, Abada has claimed 27 goals and 18 assists in 95 appearances for the title kings and boss Postecoglou will be in no rush to part with the forward – unless the price is right.
One thing is certain. The exciting youngster’s name will regularly crop up in headlines until the situation is resolves, one way or another.
