In a recent press conference, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers revealed that the club had been on the verge of signing Declan Rice during his initial tenure, only for the prospect to be derailed by injury concerns.
“I remember when I was here the first time, we spent about three months looking for Declan Rice to come in,” he stated. “Declan was all set to come in and then all of a sudden they had an injury, he stayed and got in the team and the rest is history. That’s not the club’s fault – it’s just the way it goes.”
It’s intriguing to speculate about the potential implications had Celtic managed to secure that deal. Rice eventually became the most expensive British player in Premier League history following his £105 million transfer from West Ham to Arsenal last summer. One cannot help but wonder what might have transpired had he showcased similar promise at Celtic, possibly leading to a substantial windfall for the Hoops.
Nevertheless, Celtic is currently pursuing another promising young defensive midfielder who has been making waves in scouting circles. According to HITC, both Celtic and Scottish Premiership rivals Rangers are closely monitoring Oscar Zambrano from Ecuadorian club LDU Quito. The 17-year-old’s performances in South America have drawn attention from the Old Firm duo, although English Premier League clubs have also taken notice.
Wolves and Brighton have been mentioned in connection with Zambrano, while Luton Town has engaged in discussions. However, Bournemouth’s interest appears to have progressed the most, positioning them at the forefront of negotiations. It’s evident that Celtic must move swiftly if they intend to secure a deal for the talented midfielder.
Zambrano experienced a breakthrough year in 2023, featuring in every minute of Ecuador’s Under-20 World Cup campaign and making his senior national team debut in November. At the club level, he has amassed 26 league appearances despite his relative lack of experience, contributing to LDU Quito’s victory in the Copa Sudamericana.
The young prospect has generated significant excitement among online talent scouts, with some highlighting his exceptional passing ability and tenacious off-ball presence. Given his potential, there is a unanimous consensus that he could be a prized acquisition for Celtic or any other club that manages to secure his signature.
The consensus among scouts and talent spotters is that Zambrano holds immense promise, drawing favorable comparisons with established players and being labeled as an “unbelievable talent.” The time appears ripe for Celtic to capitalize on his potential and develop this prodigious talent, potentially reaping substantial rewards should he continue to progress.