Benjamin Nygren has started the season in excellent form with four goals in as many games. Celtic fans are certainly enjoying the Swedes performances since linking up with Kasper Høgh at the top end of the field. The question supporters are now asking is can Celtic hold on to the goalscorer until the window closes? Nygren was previously linked to the likes of Tottenham and Everton and clubs must be paying attention to the level of form he has carried on into the new season. In addition to his goalscoring, Nygren is now contributing considerably towards open play, which will make him one of the most valuable players at the club and one of the first names on the team sheet. Making Celtic’s apparent interest in Bosnian international Ermin Mahmic both extremely exciting and terrifying at the same time.
What would Mahmic’s arrival mean?
On the face of it Celtic’s interest in Ermin Mahmic is incredibly exciting. A young, dynamic, goalscoring, attacking midfielder who made his mark on the World Cup with his two goals. Exactly the kind of player the fans have asked the club to target. A player who looks ready to contribute now and still has further development in him. The young midfielder certainly looks a good fit for Celtic and with the club needing strong options in midfield it makes sense. However, the cynic in me doesn’t see Celtic paying for two quality no10 options in midfield. Would Celtic be paying out a reported £7-£8Million without the prospect of selling Nyrgren this window? If we don’t sell the Swede and the club are genuinely strengthening the position for the season ahead then O’Neill will believe he’s been given the tools to achieve something special this season. Losing Nygren at this stage when we look so devastating going forward would be a huge blow.
Nygren has started the season brilliantly
The criticism from a section of the fans was that Nygren contributed goals but not a lot else last season. Something that cannot be labelled at the Swede this term. After a relatively poor World Cup by his standards he has started the season on fire in a Celtic shirt. Nygren’s goalscoring ability cannot be doubted but now that he is contributing to open play he’s becoming a real strong asset to the team. He’s one of the key players the fans will be hoping the club can keep hold of this transfer window.
Hopefully Celtic are simply adding quality
Celtic should be building a quality squad full of several players for each position. Players that can step in and make the difference when needed. Hopefully that’s what Celtic are doing. Which would signal a change in transfer strategy at the club.
A progressive forward thinking club would bed in another attacking player this season incase a big money offer comes in for Nygren next year. Like the club did with Edouard and Dembele, that’s the way it should operate every window and for every position. Nygren must be attracting interest from the performances he’s put in this season. However the club needs to stand firm and give O’Neill the tools he needs to compete at Champions League level this season. That includes keeping hold of quality players like Nygren and further strengthening the squad in key positions. Mahmic looks like he would be a quality signing for the club, hopefully it’s to play with Nygren not replace him.
All views expressed on Celtic DNA are personal opinions and are for commentary and discussion purposes only
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