Celtic appear to be plotting a move for Barnsley man Callum Styles, according to The Sun’s Alan Nixon, as relayed by The 72.
The Lowdown: Styles profiled
The 21-year-old is primarily a left midfielder who can also play as a central or attacking midfielder. The 5 foot 4 speedster is valued at £2.7m and is approaching 100 Barnsley appearances after joining from Bury back in 2018.
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The Englishman extended his Oakwell stay last year and was linked with a move to Leeds United earlier this year, and it seems as if the Hoops are now keen on his services.
The Latest: Nixon’s claim
According to Nixon in The Sun on Sunday (19.12.21, pg. 69), as relayed by The 72, the Hoops are checking on Styles ahead of the January window. This comes on the day of Celtic's League Cup final triumph against Hibernian, with interim CEO Michael Nicholson seemingly busy on the transfer front.
A Celtic fan asked the reliable journalist on Twitter if the transfer was a ‘goer’, to which he responded: “Watching… closely… talented player…very attack minded”
Nixon described Styles as a player with ‘great feet’, adding that he would ‘very much’ suit Ange Postecoglou’s style of play.
The Verdict: With or without Hatate?
Celtic have reportedly reached an agreement with Kawasaki Frontale for Reo Hatate, who can also play on the left and in midfield, so the Hoops may well be checking in on Styles as a possible alternative, or even another January signing alongside the Japanese ace.
He appears to be a player with great potential following the links with a Premier League club in the summer, so if the Hoops can bring Styles to Glasgow in the New Year, he would provide Postecoglou with another option in multiple positions as the 56-year-old looks to continue his Parkhead rebuild.
In other news: Postecoglou wants 49-cap colossus at the peak of his powers to cap Celtic's January business