Celtic have now soared into the race to sign an “extraordinary” 17-cap international, who Premier League side Brighton have just held talks to sign.
Hoops eyeing new midfielder after Oxlade-Chamberlain criticism
The Hoops ultimately managed to come away with a point from their recent trip to Ibrox, with Reo Hatate bagging a late equaliser, but fellow midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was criticised for his performance in the first half.
Former striker Chris Sutton said: “Celtic were bullied in the first half. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain couldn’t get to the pace of the game in midfield. It was like he was thinking it was a testimonial.”
It is probably a little early to be too critical of the former Liverpool midfielder, given that it was always going to take him a little while to get up to speed, having been without a club for the first few months of the 2025-26 campaign.
However, there are also some doubts over Hatate, who was deemed to have mentally checked out, after failing to seal a move away from Parkhead during the Janaury transfer window.
Consequently, the Glasgow giants may need to bring in at least one new central midfielder during the summer transfer window, and they have now set their sights on Sao Paulo star Damian Bobadilla.
That is according to a report from TEAMtalk, which states Celtic have soared into the race for Bobadilla, but there could be competition for his signature, given that Brighton have just held talks with his agents.
Como and Real Betis are also named as potential suitors for the midfielder, who has a market value of around €12m (£10m), and interest from elsewhere is expected to grow over the next few months.
The Hoops have been scouting the 24-year-old in recent weeks, and they are likely to be impressed by what they’ve seen…
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He was criticised for his Old Firm performance on Sunday.
The 17-cap Paraguay international has been a Sao Paulo player since the 2024 season, and he has now made 100 appearances for the Brazilian club, during which time he has chipped in with nine goals and four assists.
Not only is the central midfielder capable of contributing on the front foot, but he is also solid from a defensive point of view, winning possession in the final third an average of 0.8 times per 90 in the Brazilian Serie A this season, which is the second-highest in the Sao Paulo squad.
Journalist Christian Perez has certainly been impressed by the maestro too, describing him as an “extraordinary player” and a “total midfielder” around 18 months ago.
Bobadilla would perhaps be a risky signing, given that he is yet to prove himself in Europe, but there are plenty of indications he could be a success at Parkhead.