Celtic’s pursuit of midfield reinforcements appears to be gaining traction, with fresh reports strongly linking the Scottish champions to 20-year-old Turkish deep-lying playmaker Demir Ege Tıknaz. This renewed interest comes shortly after the expiration of a buy option held by Tıknaz’s recent loan club, Portuguese outfit Rio Ave.
Tıknaz spent last season on loan with Rio Ave, who had an option to purchase him permanently for approximately €4.5 million. That deadline passed on Tuesday, clearing the path for other clubs to pursue the talented midfielder.
READ: Arsenal Prepares Bid for Juventus Sensation Kenan Yıldız
According to Mustafa Korkusz of Turkish state broadcaster TRT Spor, Celtic is now firmly in the mix for Tıknaz, alongside Swiss club Basel and Belgian side Anderlecht.
The report states that all three clubs are “closely following the situation” of the young midfielder and are “expected to make official contact with Beşiktaş in the coming days.” The credibility of this latest link is enhanced by its origin from Tıknaz’s home country and a publication boasting over 3 million social media followers.
Celtic is widely understood to be in the market for central midfield reinforcements, and if the links to Tıknaz are genuine, his statistics paint a picture of a player on a strong upward trajectory.
Predominantly a defensive or attacking central midfielder, his numbers suggest a preference for a deeper role, combining strong defensive output with impressive passing abilities.
According to analytics platform FBRef, Tıknaz ranks exceptionally high across several key metrics:
Top 99th percentile for interceptions.
Top 92nd percentile for Non-Penalty goals.
Top 83rd percentile for blocks.
Top 81st percentile for clearances.
He also demonstrates proficiency in successful take-ons, boasts impressive passing completion numbers, and performs well in aerial duels.
This is the second time in recent days that Tıknaz has been linked with Celtic, with the initial reports originating from Portugal. The consistent and geographically diverse sources suggest that Tıknaz is indeed a player firmly on Celtic’s radar.
While Celtic will undoubtedly face competition for the midfielder, the named suitors – Basel and Anderlecht – are clubs with a financial pull similar to the Hoops.
This parity suggests that if Celtic acts swiftly, they stand a strong chance of securing a deal. Furthermore, the prospect of potential Champions League football could serve as a significant draw for Tıknaz to Glasgow.
The player’s profile, both in terms of his footballing attributes and his age, appears to be an excellent match for a Brendan Rodgers-led team. The two separate links in quick succession reinforce the notion that Tıknaz is a key target for Celtic this summer.
