It looks like Celtic are closing in on a signing, as the player's agent has arrived in Scotland.
It looks like Celtic have finally started to advance a bit, when it comes to transfer matters this summer. So far, while clubs around them have completed deals and gotten stronger, the Hoops have remained stuck in one spot.
Agreeing a deal with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was a positive step. He brings experience and proven quality to the table, even though he was nowhere near a standout performer last season. But a lot more is needed all across the pitch.
It is no secret that Celtic could do with a striker or two. Tomas Cvancara and Junior Adamu have left at the end of their loan spells. Daizen Maeda has hinted at an exit as well. And for some reason, Kelechi Iheanacho's deal was not extended despite an excellent end to the season, as he played an integral part in helping Celtic secure the double.
The good news is, it looks like Celtic might be closing in on a striker signing, or are at least advancing.
Striker's agent in Scotland as Celtic try to get deal done
According to a report from journalist Fuad Alakbarov, Camilo Duran's agent is in Scotland amid ongoing talks over a long-term contract.
This comes after Celtic saw a transfer bid rejected by Qarabag, which was thought to be in the region of €2 million.
The belief is that Qarabag are holding out for a transfer fee in the region of £3 million. And to be honest, that should not be a problem for Celtic, if they really want to sign Duran.
Unfortunately, every Celtic transfer dealing turns into a prolonged process these days with multiple failed bids and negotiations lasting weeks before a deal can be reached, if it is at all.
What would Duran bring to the table according to data?
Duran scored five goals in the Champions League last season. Those came against top teams like Ajax, Benfica, Eintracht Frankfurt and Newcastle United.
His overall goalscoring record is not as strong. He has scored 15 times in 45 games for Qarabag. So, there is certainly room for potential despite the promise shown at Champions League level.
A deeper dive into the data provides a clearer picture of the striker that Duran is and what he would bring to the table.
Firstly, he outperformed his xG of 3.59 by scoring five times. Is that sustainable or was it a run of good form?
Another thing that needs to be taken into consideration is the context. For most of those games, Qarabag would be on the back foot, playing on the counter. Can Duran produce the numbers when facing a low block or is he someone who thrives on the space provided by high lines? To me, it feels more like the latter. At least from what we have seen so far.
The two parameters where he does shine is his pace and willingness to help out the defence. Perhaps the club view him as someone who can replace Maeda in those aspects.
Duran was in the 84th percentile in the Champions League for top speed and in the 92nd percentile for number of sprints. On the other side of the game, he was in the 92nd percentile for tackles and 81st percentile for defensive contributions.
So, it does feel like Celtic are trying to sign a specialist here rather than someone who is good at every thing. One can only hope that it works out.
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