OUMAR TRAORE: CELTIC IN “ADVANCED TALKS” FOR MALI WINGER
- BY LIAM CARRIGAN
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
Much has been said about Celtic’s need for wingers, especially ahead of our upcoming European campaign. Whether it’s the Champions League or the Europa League will be decided over the next fortnight. But either way, Celtic will have at least another 8 European games to navigate as well as the usual packed domestic season.
At the moment, Daizen Maeda is our only viable option on the left wing, and most fans agree he’s much better utilized as a striker. James Forrest is showing great form on the right, but at 34 we can’t keep turning to him as our sole source of inspiration.
Thankfully, it seems Celtic may be on the case with regards to bringing in some fresh competition for the wide positions. Celtic are, apparently, currently negotiating with Mali international winger Oumar Traore.
Is Oumar Traore Celtic’s Answer on the Wing?
So, who is Oumar Traore, Celtic's latest transfer target?
He’s a 23-year-old winger, currently playing in the United Arab Emirates for Al Jazira (the football team not the news channel!).
His record of 10 goals in 78 games may not, initially seem that great. However, he’s very much a creator rather than a finisher.
So far, he’s played 3 games for the Malian national team, scoring once.
Noted for his pace, and his ability to take on and beat at a man, something that’s becoming an increasing rarity in modern wingers, Traore definitely fits the profile of player Celtic clearly need at the moment.
Also, at 23 years old, available for less than 3 million pounds, Traore fits with Celtic’s contentious but undeniably successful model of buy low and sell high when it comes to recruitment.
Whether this deal comes off or not, it is heartening to see that Celtic continue to cast the net far and wide in pursuit of new talent.
Rumors persist that we may go back into the Japanese market for Taisei Miyashiro, and we continue to monitor the situation with Etienne Youte over in France.
I think most of us have now, reluctantly, accepted that most of our incoming transfer business will be towards the end of the window, and the players coming to Celtic will not be here in time to impact our Champions League play-off.
That isn’t acceptable, in my opinion, but that’s what we’re dealing with. So, this Traore story, and the fact that it is being picked up in local media both in Mali and the UAE, suggests to me its not just another random rumor.
Hopefully it works out. I won’t pretend to be an expert on the player. Truth be told, I’d never heard of him until earlier today, but he looks a decent player from the limited footage I’ve been able to find online.
However, for Celtic’s board to pacify an increasingly frustrating fanbase, Traore needs to be the start, not the endgame in terms of arrivals.