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Middlesbrough are looking to raid Scottish champions Celtic for £2m-rated winger Scott Sinclair this summer, as they look set to lose Rangers captain James Tavernier’s brother.
Marcus Tavernier, 20, has starred for Boro in 28 appearances this season and has caught the attention of AFC Bournemouth. Scoring five goals and creating three more, he could be the latest English talent to join the Cherries.
That leaves Tony Pulis’ side without a winger and former Manchester City star Sinclair has been identified to fill the gap. Sinclair has one year left on his £25,000-a-week () deal with Celtic.
Keeping him this summer would see Celtic risk losing the ex-Aston Villa, Swansea City and West Bromwich Albion star on a free transfer either in January on a pre-contract, or in the summer at the end of his current deal.
Selling him now is important for Celtic unless they decide to offer him a new deal – but that is unlikely given he is struggling to start. Sinclair has scored 17 goals this season, in 51 outings – but he has only started 35 of those.
TBR’s view
Sinclair is now 30 years of age and Celtic are unlikely to bring in any cash for the winger next summer. Maryan Shved is returning to Glasgow from his loan, so a £2million fee is hard to ignore.
It is not only the transfer fee that Celtic would rake in. His wages are one of the highest in the squad, and saving such a big figure every week will give Celtic manoeuvrability in the upcoming summer window.
Celtic should sell Sinclair, and bring in fresh-faced replacement a few years Sinclair’s junior.
