Celtic’s David Turnbull is reportedly a January transfer target for Serie A giants, AC Milan.
The midfielder came off the bench as Celtic were defeated late on in Rome; however, an Italian scout has suggested that Milan are watching the player with a view to making a £7m move in the winter window.
According to Michele Fratine, who spoke to Pianeta Milan (via Sun), the player has caught the eye of the San Siro scouts and they’re pondering a raid on the Scottish Champions as they look to replicate Bologna’s success with Lewis Ferguson.
“This player – who yesterday played part of the match in Lazio-Celtic in the Champions League – plays as a central midfielder and is reminiscent of former Inter player Ivan Perišić in his movements .
“Different role, but he moves like him. Raised in Motherwell, he is good in managing the ball, in running the ball.
“He is good at blocking and initiating action. He kicks from distance, with both feet, both with the right and with the left. Tense football, polite and clean foot. He has a lot strength when loading the shot from 20-30 meters.
“He has broken verbally with Celtic and his contract expires on 31 May 2024.
“Signing him in January would cost eight million euros, maximum ten. Otherwise Milan will have to hope to be chosen next summer from a very vast list of suitors.
“Scottish international, like Bologna ‘s Lewis Ferguson, with different characteristics.”
This season has pushed Turnbull back into first team affairs, having slipped out of contention under Ange Postecoglou. The 24-year-old has a brilliant right foot and Brendan Rodgers has brought him back into the fold, looking to develop him and sign him onto a new deal.
Turnbull has started seven games this season, making fourteen appearances in total, and has scored seven times. However, the manager’s decision to start Paolo Bernardo ahead of him in Europe suggests that he may not believe the Scotland Internationalist is at the level required for European football at present.
Overall, since signing from Motherwell, Turnbull has scored 31 goals and 23 assists in 129 appearances. Turnbull has been a bit of a headache for supporters and managers alike due to sometimes going missing in big games.
It will be interesting to see what happens with Turnbull’s contract situation, the manager has said that he wants him to sign; however, if he does not wish to sign onto a new deal then the club would do well to recoup/make a profit on the £4.5m paid to the Fir Park club.
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