South American talent says he is in talks with Celtic, deal could be agreed this week

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Ecuadorian prodigy Sergio Quintero has been quoted by the Scottish Sun as saying that he is hoping to join Celtic this week, after talks between his club Imbabura SC and Celtic that have lasted weeks.

The 20-year-old star has impressed for Ecuador’s Under-20 side this summer, who surpassed expectation to reach the semi-finals of the Under-20 World Cup in Poland – playing five of the seven matches, scoring in the round of 16.

Celtic are in need of a new midfielder, with Olivier Ntcham looking likely to leave the Hoops this summer as Neil Lennon is yet to be impressed by the attitude of the Frenchman.

A move failed to be completed for David Turnbull while Kouassi Eboue is yet to make his mark at Celtic. Quintero was quoted as saying that his club have been in talks with Celtic for some time and hopes a deal is completed.

“I’m thinking about a move to European football. I’m trying to be calm about it and take it easy,” Quintero said. “The representatives of Celtic have been in talks for some time with the president of Imbabura.

“An agreement has to be reached this week if the transfer is to go through. But if the deal doesn’t go through I am relaxed because I have offers from other clubs. It’s important to make the best decision for me.”

TBR’s view – Quintero a good addition for Celtic

Though an unknown in European football, Lennon is known for bringing players in from unknown sides and making something of them at Celtic. Nir Bitton, Efe Ambrose and plenty more are examples.

At 20 years of age and impressing at a tournament where scouts from all over the world are watching, Quintero shone through and it would be quite some coup for Celtic to land the midfielder.