Celtic have identified Leeds left-back Barry Douglas as a possible replacement for Boli Bolingoli, a report from Sky Sports has claimed.
Bolingoli is facing an uncertain future at Celtic following his high-profile breach of lockdown rules last week, and it now seems as though the Scottish champions are assessing their options to replace the defender.
According to the latest reports, French second-tier Amiens are interested in signing Bolingoli on loan, with the option to buy the 25-year-old for £2.3million next summer.
Should that move happen, it is thought that Douglas is high up on Celtic’s shortlist to replace Bolingoli in Glasgow, so the club can continue to have competition for Greg Taylor on the left-hand side of their defence.
Since joining Leeds from Wolves back in the summer of 2018, Douglas has started just 28 league games for the Whites, who themselves are preparing for a return to the Premier League next season.
As things stand, there are just 12 months remaining on Douglas’ contract with Leeds, securing his future at Elland Road until the end of next season.
Consequentially, it does seem as though this move could actually suit both Leeds and Douglas going forward.
For Leeds, it would give the club the chance to receive a fee for Douglas, rather than lose him nothing when his contract expires at the end of next season, and those funds could then be reinvested into their side this summer, helping to strengthen it ahead of their return to the Premier League.
Douglas meanwhile may be keen to secure a move to Celtic in a bid to enjoy more first-team football, with this return to his native Scotland made all the more appealing by the fact it would give him the opportunity to challenge for silverware domestically, and compete in the Champions League at European level.