Shane Duffy: Why Celtic want him, favourites to sign £40k-a-week Brighton ace, Premier League competition and what Neil Lennon has said

Shane Duffy has been strongly linked with a switch to Celtic. Picture: Getty

Celtic have been heavily linked with a move for Brighton & Hove Albion defender Shane Duffy.

Why do Celtic want the centre-back?

Neil Lennon is keen on adding a centre-back to his squad with Kristoffer Ajer, Christopher Jullien and Hatem Abd Elhamed the current first-team options. There is also youngster Stephen Welsh and Nir Bitton who was used at the back at times last season.

Third-choice centre-back Jozo Simunovic departed the club in the summer.

Duffy would bring plenty of Premier League experience through spells with Everton and Brighton, as well as international experience, having played for the Republic of Ireland 32 times.

At 28 he is still a good age for a defender.

What would he bring to Celtic?

Duffy is a defender’s defender.

In the two seasons prior to the one just passed, he placed in the top three in the Premier League for shots blocked, aerial duels in his own penalty box and interceptions.

In both campaigns he also won more than 60 per cent of all his aerial duels, a solid number for a centre-back.

He would be more than suited to Scottish football and would be the stopper type which Celtic don’t possess currently.

Is he available?

In short, yes.

After starting 37 then 35 games for Brighton in the Premier League in 2017/18 and 2018/19, he started just 12 last season. He was effectively battling to be Graham Potter’s third-choice centre-back.

He has fallen further down the pecking order this summer with the arrival of Joel Veltman from Ajax and the returning Ben White who helped Leeds United earn promotion to the Premier League.

What are the chances of Celtic signing him?

If you were to listen to the bookies then it seems that the player is all but certain to move to Parkhead. Both SkyBet and Paddy Power have him as odds-on favourites.

The issue comes with the competition Celtic face for his signature. West Ham, West Brom and Leeds United are some of the teams who have been credited with an interest.

Duffy signed a five-year deal with the Seagulls in 2018, reported to be worth £40,000-a-week.

Celtic are keen on a loan deal with a fee of £2million expected for the temporary move.

Premier League clubs may be willing to provide a more enticing offer which could see the player move permanently.

It has been reported that Dufffy would be keen on a move to Celtic.

What Neil Lennon has said:

"Look, guys, I keep repeating myself: I'm not going to talk about players until they're in the building.

"You get a rumour here, speculation there; about players going, players coming in. I'm not prepared to comment on any player who is affiliated with another club until they're sat next to me."