As per German outlet Berliner Kurier, Celtic are interested in the services of Hertha Berlin winger cum striker Valentin Stocker, but face stiff competition from FC Basel – the former club of the Swiss international.
The 6-time Swiss Super League winner is worth £3.7million according to the valuation of the Bundesliga outfit. That fee could effectively hinder Celtic from completing a move for the 28-year-old.
With Leigh Griffiths and Moussa Dembele occasionally getting sidelined through injuries, manager Brendan Rodgers wants to bring in another striker before Thursday’s transfer deadline.
Stocker has found himself on the fringes of Herta’s first XI since arriving from Basel 3 summers ago, starting just 46 games thus far.
The winger registered just 4 goals in 14 appearances last term, and despite having 34 international caps for Switzerland since making his debut in 2008 and featuring in the 2014 World Cup, he isn’t guaranteed a spot for next year’s Russia 2018.
As a result, Stocker is keen to move to where he can be assured of regular playing time, and it’s why a return to Basel is more feasible.
The return of Patrick Roberts and Scott Sinclair’s presence on the wings means there isn’t an urgent need for another winger, especially one who won’t be improving the side.
A move for the Swiss just doesn’t look to be a very wise one given all the “limitations”.
