Celtic is officially plotting a summer move for Cheick Souare, according to Italian journalist Lorenzo Lepore, and if that name isn’t on your radar yet, it should be. But let me tell you, they are far from alone in this hunt for the Viktoria Plzeň midfield ace. We’ve got Serie A big guns Genoa and Monza in the mix, plus Spanish outfit Getafe already made a move, dropping a €2.5m bid that got straight-up rejected. Plzeň is holding out for €3.5-4m, so yeah, Getafe’s offer wasn’t even close.
Souare’s Journey: From Marseille to a Hot Commodity
So, who is Cheick Souare? This 23-year-old former French youth international worked his way through Martigues and Istres’ academies before Marseille’s esteemed youth setup snatched him up. Crazy, right? He got released by the Ligue 1 giants after just one senior appearance, ending up with the Czech second-tier side Vyškov. But his versatility caught Viktoria Plzeň’s eye. They initially brought him in on loan for six months, then made it permanent before the 2024-25 season. Since then, Souare has been a beast, making 69 appearances for the Czechia heavyweights, bagging 7 goals and dishing out 13 assists across all competitions. He’s primarily a left-sided midfielder but can slide into other midfield spots no problem, even left fullback if needed. His contract at Doosan Arena is up next summer, so Plzeň would rather let him go for a “minuscule fee” now than lose him for nothing in a year.
Celtic’s Summer Moves and The Midfield Puzzle
Celtic’s off to a flying start in domestic fixtures as they gear up for a UEFA Champions League playoff encounter against LASK. They are NOT messing around this window, learning from past mistakes by focusing on quality signings over just getting bodies in. The management has been on it, getting replacements in early like Mika Baur, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Camilo Durán for Arne Engels, Kasper Høgh, and Daizen Maeda in the midfield and attack. The high-profile signing of Haissem Hassan shows everyone what they’re trying to do. They are clearly still assessing the market for “at least one more midfield addition,” especially with Reo Hatate potentially on his way out. Manager Martin O’Neill loves a 4-2-3-1 setup, and Souare’s flexibility would be an absolutely “highly valuable tactical asset,” letting O’Neill switch things up without burning a sub.
With Souare bringing a different dimension to the midfield and his adaptability as a left fullback, it really makes you wonder if Celtic will finally step up their offer. The competition is fierce, and Plzeň isn’t budging on their price. What’s the next move for Celtic in this high-stakes transfer game as they chase that crucial midfield addition? The clock is ticking, and the question is, how much do they really want Cheick Souare?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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