Noel Whelan reckons that Derby County left-back Lee Buchanan could quadruple his value inside two seasons, should he make the move north of the border to Celtic [Football Insider].
The Lowdown: Celtic gear up for 2021/22
Looking to plug the gaps across the squad, new Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou will undoubtedly be searching high and low to secure the most promising talent available for purchase.
Signing established senior players will be key to success this season, but bringing in young stars with potential for years to come will also take equal precedence for the Aussie as he looks to put the Hoops back on their perch long-term.
One man who would fall into the latter category would be Buchanan, who has been linked with Celtic in recent days as a solution to their conundrum on the left-side of defence [Daily Record].
The Latest: Whelan reckons could be worth 'four times' his value in two years time
Impressed by the potential deal, popular ex-pro turned pundit Whelan dropped his verdict on recent developments in an exclusive interview with Football Insider, stating: “They need younger, better players in their team that they had last year.
“That’s why they’re looking at these sorts of players now because last season it was woeful. It let them down massively.
“They were inconsistent, never got the right partnerships at the back, didn’t know whether they wanted to play four or three at the back.
“There was no leaders out there and far too many mistakes, especially from set pieces.
“So they need a breath of fresh air and getting a 20-year-old in gives you that, that longevity.
"You can really work with him and get to grips and improve him as well.
“For the fee they’re looking at, you could have a fantastic player who in two or three years time is worth four times that. You’ve got to look for that.“
The Verdict: Celtic should look to sign up Buchanan to bolster left-back depth
Correctly, the 46-year-old points out the room for development someone like Buchanan could provide in a Celtic jersey.
In 2020/21, he was ever present for current employers Derby County, registering three assists in 37 appearances in all competitions [Transfermarkt].
Furthermore, the youngster showed courage in preventing dangerous situations, managing to record 2.3 clearances per 90 minutes [WhoScored].
Progressing towards the latter stages of the transfer window, Celtic should look to sign Buchanan to add depth in the left-back area and a potentially major profit in the future if Whelan is correct.
In other news, a Celtic target has had a decision made on his contractual status.