Celtic MVP's 'super season' has alerted many EPL clubs - and club should target 19-goal hitman to replace him
Celtic are facing a summer battle to hang onto their star man, claims one former Scotland international.
Celtic will face a major battle to keep hold of top scorer Benjamin Nygren after his “super” season at Parkhead alerted several clubs to his services, with the club urged to target a “no-brainer” replacement if he leaves this summer.
Nygren, 24, signed for the club for a bargain £1.2million from FC Nordsjælland last summer, and has had an outstanding debut campaign for the club, bagging 20 goals from midfield in all competitions.
His form has not gone unnoticed across the border in the English Premier League, with the Sweden international linked to several clubs in recent months, namely Tottenham Hotspur. Former Scotland international Pat Nevin believes the club must prepare themselves for serious interest in him when the transfer window reopens.
“Benjamin Nygren’s numbers are really good,” said Nevin. “I think he's one in two per game goalscoring in Scotland for Celtic. Now, in the past that wouldn't have been so impressive because Celtic got a lot of goals and were miles better than everyone else, and it was a cruise. That's not the case now because they've had a tougher season. So yeah, it sounds good, he's just coming into the prime of his career. He's tall enough, about 6’1
“He's not an out and out striker, but he'll come from slightly deeper and score goals from wide. So, in an underperforming Celtic in comparison to years gone by, he's had a super season. Many would suggest he'll get player of the season for Celtic, and that's probably enough to say, yeah, well worth taking a chance. But I don't think Spurs will be the only team interested in him. I think there'll be others.”
However, should Celtic be unable to keep Nygren at the club beyond the current season, Nevin believes the club can replace his goal by launching an offer for Leeds United striker Joel Piroe. The Suriname international scored 19 goals to help Daniel Farke’s side win the EFL Championship last year, but has found regular game time hard to come by upon the club’s return to the Premier League.
Linked to both Celtic and Rangers during the January window, Nevin thinks the 26-year-old is an ideal signing for either Glasgow club and has urged them to make a move this summer.
“Joel Piroe is a classic case of if you're lucky in the transfer market and you can get someone like him,” Nevin told Genting Casino. “Have a look at what he did before. Before Leeds got to the Premier League, he had a great couple of seasons before that. His goalscoring rate is fantastic. And it's not a fluke, it's not one off. The Championship is a phenomenal level. It's a hard competition to score goals in. Don't do it down because everyone just talks about the Premier League.
“On top of that, you're thinking, he did it with Swansea as well. Rangers have actually done well in the last year or so for goalscorers. You know, the likes of Bojan Miovski came in, did a good job, decent job for them. They've had injuries, but in reality he could be at least as good as anyone they've got there. So if you were Rangers, or indeed if you were Celtic, going after him would be my no-brainer for you. That's why I call him a no-brainer.”
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