Celtic manager Neil Lennon has told OTB Sports of his interest in signing Shane Duffy. The central defender seems set to leave Brighton & Hove Albion this summer.
Neil Lennon Admits Interest in Shane Duffy
Important Defender for Brighton During His Time at the Club
For the past four seasons, Duffy has been the backbone of the Brighton defence. He joined The Seagulls in August 2016 for a reported £4 million from Blackburn Rovers.
It was an eventful 2016/17 season for Duffy. Within the opening month, he played five games for Blackburn, scoring twice. Alas, in the same match against Cardiff City, he also scored two own goals before being sent-off.
However, by the end of the 2016/17 season, his presence helped Brighton win promotion to the Premier League. His impressive defensive partnership with Lewis Dunk continued into the top-flight. The pair are still going strong, helping to maintain Brighton’s Premier League status.
This seems set to change.
Lennon Initially Refuses to Comment
Celtic are sending out mixed messages regarding their interest in Duffy. Just a few days ago, Lennon refused to comment on the player. He showed his irritation in a recent press conference broadcast on Celtic TV.
“I’m not going to talk about players until they are in the building,” Lennon said.
“You get rumour here, speculation there about a player going, players coming in.
“I’m not prepared to comment on any other player who is affiliated with another club until they are sat next to me.”
Lennon Confirms Tentative Enquiries
However, Lennon has since commented on his interest in Duffy. According to OTB Sports, he made a comment on their roadshow.
“We have made tentative enquiries,” Lennon confirmed at OTB Sport’s UEFA Champions League Final preview night “and we’ll see how that goes.”
Lennon was reluctant to say much more about a player not contracted to the Scottish champions.
West Ham Interest
Scottish newspaper The Herald also reports Celtic’s interest. They suggest that Celtic could bring Duffy to Glasgow in a £2 million loan deal.
However, their hopes have taken a blow.
Premier League club West Ham United are also reportedly interested in signing Duffy. However, one main difference exists: West Ham are prepared to pay £5million for Duffy’s permanent transfer.
This is according to a report in the Daily Record.
Should West Ham sign Duffy, then he will link-up with David Moyes. The pair were together at Everton – the club where Duffy started his career as a trainee.
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