Alfie Doughty has been tracked by Celtic for quite a long time (Getty Images)
According to the Daily Record, Celtic could snap up Charlton Athletic youngster Alfie Doughty for a knockdown price in January after the 20-year-old suffered a hamstring injury that is expected to keep him on the sidelines for four months.
The London-born starlet had been a top target for Celtic throughout the summer but ended up staying put at The Valley after negotiations between the two clubs failed to reach a positive conclusion. (h/t Daily Record)
As per the report, Doughty will be available for a paltry development fee when his contract with Charlton expires next summer but Neil Lennon’s side could try to snap him up for a bargain price in January.
A youth exponent of Charlton, Alfie Doughty made his senior professional debut for the Addicks in an EFL Cup tie against MK Dons in August 2018. He then spent time on loan at Kingstonian and Bromley in the non-league arena before rising to first-team prominence at Charlton in the Championship last season.
Doughty impressed with 2 goals and 3 assists in 29 league appearances for the Addicks in the second-tier last term as Lee Bowyer’s side suffered relegation. The 20-year-old has continued as a regular starter for Charlton in League One this season, contributing with a goal and 2 assists in 10 appearances across all competitions.
Celtic roped in Uruguayan international Diego Laxalt on a season-long loan deal from AC Milan in the summer to add more depth and quality to their left-sided options. Laxalt has undoubtedly made a positive impression and has displaced Greg Taylor from the teamsheet but his long-term future at Parkhead remains up in the air.
Taylor has struggled for playtime following Laxalt’s arrival but the talented Scottish international is expected to be a key squad player for the Hoops moving forward. However, with Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo currently out on loan and no longer in the manager’s plans, Celtic certainly need a permanent solution to ensure healthy competition for places on the left.
Having said that, the Hoops should definitely try to take advantage of Alfie Doughty’s situation at Charlton after the youngster picked up a hamstring injury in October. That means he’s not expected to be back in action until the end of January and with his contract at The Valley set to expire next summer, the door remains open for Celtic to nab him in a cut-price deal.
Doughty is comfortable at left-back, left wing-back and is also capable of playing as a winger further up the pitch. Hence, a potential deal for him would help Lennon reshape his options when Laxalt returns to Milan at the end of the season.
With Southampton loanee Mo Elyounoussi’s long-term future also in doubt, Doughty would offer the manager valuable cover in multiple areas down the left-hand side of the pitch.
Alfie Doughty has caught the eye with his dynamic range of qualities at Charlton. He’s someone who contributes equally at both ends of the pitch, completing his creativity and skillset with his uncompromised work-rate. Those claims are well substantiated by his promising track record of goals and assists at Charlton, as well as his heat map in the Championship last term.
The 20-year-old is only going to get better with time and given that he has already started to deliver on his potential, Celtic would have an absolute gem on their hands if they complete a deal for him in January.