Celtic Keep Close Tabs On The Lazio Pair: Why They Must Snap Up At Least One Of The Attackers | OneFootball

If a recent transfer update from Lorenzo Canicchio on X is true, Celtic are keeping close tabs on the Lazio duo Gustav Isaksen and Matteo Cancellieri. Isaksen, currently injured, is expected to return to action in September, and interest in Cancellieri could heat up soon, with a valuation of around €15m potentially negotiable.

Having progressed through Roslev IK and Midtjylland’s academy ranks, Isaksen broke into the latter’s first-team squad in 2019. He went on to score 33 goals and assist 18 times in 139 games across competitions, and a scintillating 2022-23 season earned him a €14.40m transfer to Serie A giants Lazio in the summer of 2023.

How They Have Performed For The Eagles?

The 25-year-old Denmark international has so far netted 14 times and laid on 11 assists in 121 outings for the Eagles. He has often been rotated with Cancellieri down the right-hand flank, but the club are ready to listen to offers for both if the right bids are tabled in due time.

Born in Rome, the 24-year-old Azzurri international left his boyhood side AS Roma at the age of 18 after a prominent spell with the reserves. He initially joined Hellas Verona on loan, before the move was made permanent for a fee of around €4m. After a sporadic stint, Lazio snapped up Cancellieri on a season-long loan with an obligation-to-buy. Although the deal was made permanent, back-to-back loans were sanctioned to fellow top-flight outfits Empoli and Parma after a difficult 2022-23 campaign. His performance gradually improved with more minutes, thus helping him attain a regular role last season under Maurizio Sarri.

ROME, ITALY – MAY 23: Matteo Cancellieri of SS Lazio competes for the ball with Simone Canestrelli of Pisa SC during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Pisa SC at Stadio Olimpico on May 23, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Why Celtic Should Make A Call After Maeda’s Exit

While he scored 4 times and assisted twice in 30 Serie A appearances, it remains to be seen whether the new boss, Gennaro Gattuso, sticks with him in the attacking third. Nevertheless, neither Cancellieri nor Isaksen is untouchable, and Celtic, in the hunt for a new right-sided attacker, could rope in either of them to bolster their frontline.

The Hoops are having yet another slow window, with Camilo Duran being the only arrival this summer. But they have parted ways with Daizen Maeda, whereas Kelechi Iheanacho has rejected a contract offer in favour of a transfer to the Turkish second-tier side Bursaspor. Yang Hyun-jun had his moments last season, but they failed to replace Nicolas Kuhn’s productivity from the right.

Cancellieri and Isaksen, both left-footed, prefer to operate as inverted wingers. They like to take on defenders with dribbling, pace, and cut-ins, but their lack of finishing, decision-making, and inconsistent delivery from wide areas must improve to make a mark in Scottish football.