Asked about the prospect of Ryan Mmaee joining Scottish Premiership champions Celtic earlier this summer, Ferencvaros sporting director Tamas Hajnal was unequivocal.
“No,” Hajnal told Nemzeti Sport.
“He is currently recovering from his injury. We are waiting for him to help us when he is in good condition. It is almost impossible for him to leave before the World Cup in Qatar at the end of the year.”
Now, a few weeks later, the impossible is starting to feel, well, possible. And not just because Morocco international Mmaee has recovered much faster than expected from what initially looked like a long-lasting injury.
Could Celtic still take Ryan Mmaee away from Ferencvaros?
Ferencvaros on Tuesday night said goodbye to their Champions League dreams; Lost 4-2 to Azerbaijani side Qarabag FK in the third qualifying round. Now, if Mmaee wants to try his hand at the highest of stages, the only way to do so is to find a way out of Budapest by the September transfer deadline.
And while a Celtic side with a treasure trove of attacking gems can’t guarantee Mmaee the starring role he enjoys in Ferencvaros – from stage star bonafide to part of a wider cast – the Glasgow giants by Ange Postecoglou do have a place in the group stages of the Champions League already closed.
Since last season, Scottish Premiership winners now have immediate access to Europe’s most iconic club competition. There is no longer a need for a grueling qualification process.
According to The Athletic, Mmaee has been watched regularly by Celtic in recent months; Even if this interest has not yet translated into serious and concrete offers. The former Limassol striker certainly ticks a lot of boxes when it comes to Postecoglou; He can both score and create from his role as a centre-forward – scoring 17 goals and setting up 11 more last season. He also has the technical ability and versatility the Celtic boss demands from his forward options.
Mmaee, in short, is a much better fit for Postecoglou’s plan than Albian Ajeti.
And if Mmaee was already intrigued by the prospect of joining Jota, Kyogo Furuhashi and co at Celtic, Ferencvaros’ early exit from the Champions League will only make his feet itch a bit.
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