Fulham have been linked with an imminent move for Celtic’s defensive midfielder Nir Bitton, according to a report in the Scottish Sun today.
The Glasgow giants are prepared to sanction the sale of their Israeli international as they close in on the signing of teenage midfielder Kouassi Eboue. Bitton, who has started just a single Celtic league game since October, is ready to consider his options after being overlooked for last weekend’s Old Firm derby and Brendan Rodgers is believed to be relaxed about letting him leave as he lines up further moves for midfielders this month.
The 25 year-old moved to Scotland for around £700,000 in August 2013 having made more than a hundred appearances for his home town club FC Ashdod after breaking into the senior side at the age of 17. Bitton made his debut as a substitute in a Champions’ League tie with AC Milan and, despite being plagued by injury, made 20 appearances as Celtic romped to their third consecutive league title.
Bitton helped Celtic retain the championship in the following two seasons, becoming a regular in the side and scoring speculative goals from long range against Dundee and Kilmarnock. He followed that up with a terrific strike against FC Malmo the following season in the Champions’ League qualifying round. Button, who has also won the Scottish League Cup with the Bhoys, has won 19 caps for Israel but may wish to move to solidify his international future after the emergence of Stuart Amstrong has blocked his first-team opportunities at Celtic Park.
Fulham are at the head of a queue of Championship sides interested in securing the holding midfielder’s services, with Slavisa Jokanovic keen to add depth to his squad in that position alongside Kevin McDonald and veteran Scott Parker. The Scottish Sun suggests that a fee of around £2m could persuade Celtic to let Bitton leave during the January transfer window.
