Celtic FC is on the verge of completing a deal to sign Lazio winger Gustav Isaksen on a season-long loan with an obligation to make it permanent next summer. The Scottish Premiership champions have been in talks with the Serie A side to discuss a possible move for the 23-year-old Danish forward.
Isaksen’s potential arrival at Celtic Park could be a significant upgrade on Daizen Maeda, who has struggled to make an impact in the final third. Maeda’s work rate is impressive, but his finishing and creativity have been lacking. In contrast, Isaksen has shown promise in his limited minutes for Lazio, with a ruthless finishing ability and impressive creativity.
The Danish forward’s underlying numbers suggest he could thrive in a dominant team like Celtic. His form for FC Midtjylland in the 2022/23 campaign was impressive, with 18 goals in 32 outings and only four missed “big chances”. He also created 1.7 chances per game for his teammates, more than three times as many as Maeda managed in the Premiership last season.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is keen to improve his team’s output in the final third, and Isaksen’s arrival could be a significant step in that direction. The Scottish giants have already made four new signings this summer, but Isaksen’s potential arrival would be a major coup.
The deal is not yet done, with Lazio reportedly hesitant to sell Isaksen this week. However, Celtic’s interest is strong, and they are prepared to make an offer to sign the winger on a permanent basis next summer.
If the deal goes through, Isaksen could be a key player for Celtic in the 2024/25 campaign. His creativity and finishing ability would be a significant upgrade on Maeda, and he could form a deadly partnership with the likes of Reo Hatate and Adam Idah.
Celtic’s pursuit of Isaksen is a clear indication of their ambition to improve their squad and challenge for domestic and European honors. The Scottish Premiership champions are leaving no stone unturned in their quest for success, and Isaksen’s potential arrival would be a major statement of intent.
In conclusion, Celtic’s potential deal to sign Gustav Isaksen would be a significant upgrade on Daizen Maeda and a major coup for the Scottish Premiership champions. Isaksen’s creativity and finishing ability would be a major asset for Brendan Rodgers’ team, and his arrival could be a key factor in Celtic’s success in the 2024/25 campaign.