Celtic have been offered the chance to sign a 26-year-old midfielder currently playing in the second tier of Italian football, with Leeds United also interested.
Come the summer, Leeds United are likely to be keen on signing a central midfielder after major squad surgery in that position a year ago. Adam Forshaw, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams and Marc Roca left.
In came Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev, Glen Kamara and academy product Archie Gray. But for most of the season, teen Gray has been playing on the right of the defence and Ampadu in the middle.
Leeds need options in the middle of the park and one player they are supposedly interested in signing is Charles Pickel. A Swiss-born midfielder currently playing in the second tier of Italian football.
The Cremonese midfielder has played in Switzerland, France and Portugal and since the summer of 2022, he has been in Italy.
The ‘charasmatic’ player has a contract until the summer of 2026 at Cremonese.
Leeds want Celtic-linked Charles Pickel
A report from Football Scotland states that Celtic have been offered the chance to sign Pickel. The 12-time DR Congo international has caught the eye this term not only for his club, but his country too.
Depsite being born in Switzerland, Pickel has 12 caps for DR Congo and played for them at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON). He started all six games in their run to the semi-finals earlier this year.
The report says Brendan Rodgers has been offered Pickel with the player keen on a move to Parkhead. However, the Scottish side might not be the only side pursuing a deal, with Leeds and Preston keen.
Daniel Farke needs a midfielder but is Celtic target Pickel the one?
Farke will be eyeing midfielders to lure to Elland Road in the summer and the fact there is interest from Leeds in Pickel suggests the club are considering possible central midfield options ahead of the summer.
But the 26-year-old is hardly proven at the top level. A solid showing at AFCON with his country but Pickel has only enjoyed one season in one of Europe’s top-five leagues and was relegated.
If Leeds remain in the Championship this season then the signing of Pickel is a strong one. But should Farke guide Leeds to promotion either automatically or in the play-offs, then Pickel should be overlooked.