The Scottish champions are close to agreeing a loan deal for the Brentford centre-back ahead of the 11pm deadline
Celtic are close to finalising the loan capture of towering Brentford centre-back Benjamin Arthur - with NO buy option expected.
The highly-rated England Under-20 international will join up with the Hoops until the end of the season, according to the Richmond & Twickenham Times.
Arthur, who was promoted to Keith Andrews' first-team squad last summer, has yet to make his Premier League debut for the Bees but he has made three professional appearances in the EFL and FA Cup.
It’s understood both clubs are still to iron out some finer details before any more can be sanctioned, but the short-term transfer to the Scottish champions is seen as an 'incredible' opportunity for the former Peterborough United academy product.
Celtic act fast to land centre-back on straight loan
6ft 4’ Arthur is contracted to Brentford until the summer of 2031, and the temporary switch is not expected to include an option to buy. If a deal can be struck in the coming hours, it could pave the way for Stephen Welsh to return to Motherwell on loan.
Welsh had impressed during the first half of the season at Fir Park, arguably playing some of the best football of his career under manager Jens Berthel Askou. Celtic recalled him earlier this month amid a shortage of defensive options and played in the Scottish Cup fourth round victory over Auchinleck Talbot.
Boss Martin O’Neill has been eager to add more cover in a key area of the pitch with mainstay Cameron Carter-Vickers sidelined until the end of the campaign, while Auston Trusty was suspended for the weekend win over Falkirk.
Read More
Arthur currently finds himself behind ex-Hoops star Kristoffer Ajer in the pecking order at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Celtic are also expected to add winger Joel Mvuka from French side FC Lorient before the Scottish transfer deadline at 11pm after he passed a medical in London on Sunday evening.
Continue Reading