Barcelona left-back Alex Valle is set to jet into Scotland to undergo a medical ahead of joining Celtic on loan today, according to Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph.
The 20-year-old will be spending the rest of 2024-25 at the Parkhead club, with the Scottish Premiership side paying a fee of around £1.3 million to cover Valle’s wages.
The youngster has already agreed terms on a new contract with Barca until the summer of 2026 as he remains in their long-term plans, but he will be moving to Celtic in the meantime to continue his development.
UPDATE: Barcelona left-back Alex Valle is due to undergo a medical with Celtic today.
It’s understood the clubs have agreed a season-long loan deal for the 20-year-old.
Celtic will pay a fee of around £1.3m to cover Valle’s wages. https://t.co/wbBqMWLi0D
— Anthony Joseph (@AnthonyRJoseph) August 26, 2024
Celtic will be getting a solid full-back in Valle given his huge potential and talents, and the La Masia graduate has everything it takes to keep Hoops star Greg Taylor on his toes.
Manager Brendan Rodgers earlier had Liverpool left-back Owen Beck on his radar, but a deal could not be agreed, and it safe to say he has landed a better option.
While Valle has yet to make his official senior team debut for Barca, he has displayed what he is capable of doing for the first-team, impressing during their victory over Real Madrid in a friendly earlier this month.
He was involved in both goals as the Catalans ran out 2-1 winners, setting up play through his precise cross for the first goal, which allowed Robert Lewandowski to provide the eventual assist from the far post.
The Poland international striker linked up with Valle for the second goal, with the soon-to-be Celtic defender delivering another precision cross, which allowed Pau Victor to finish in stride and double their lead.
It was only a friendly game, but putting in such a top performance against such a top opponent speaks volumes, and the Hoops would have been impressed with what they saw.
Celtic return to action on Sunday when they face bitter rivals Rangers, and Valle could be involved in action or named on the bench to take in the atmosphere of the Old Firm derby.
