LIEL ABADA could leave Celtic before the summer in a shock move as three clubs have reportedly shown interest in him.
Brendan Rodgers revealed yesterday that an exit from Parkhead looks likely for the 22-year-old due to him still not being in the right frame of mind to play.
He will miss today’s Premiership clash with Kilmarnock – after sitting out last week’s Scottish Cup win against St Mirren.
And the Northern Irishman has hinted that the winger has already played his last game for Celtic.
Abada still has three years left remaining on his contract in Glasgow after agreeing a new deal last September to keep him at the Hoops until 2027.
But relations between the player and the club have since proved difficult after the Green Brigade unfurled a banner proclaiming ‘Victory to the Resistance’ in the wake of Hamas terror attacks on Israel just one month later.
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The tricky wide-man had transfer options on the table in January, with clubs in England, Germany, France and Portugal interested but a move never materialised.
Majority of European windows closed at the start of this month, leaving Abada with fewer options if he wants to move elsewhere before the summer.
But the MLS window is open until April 23, and three unnamed American clubs have reportedly joined the race for him this month.
That’s according to the Daily Mail – who claim interest across the pond is growing for the unsettled star and he could leave the Hoops on a permanent deal.
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It could see him leave Scotland before the season ends, if an offer materialises.
However, the report does suggest that no contact has been made towards the winger from the States and the club are still waiting for a concrete offer.
Celtic snapped up Abada from Maccabi Petah Tivka in 2021 for a fee of around £3.5million.
The Scottish champions see the 22-year-old as an extremely valuable asset, having hit double digits in the Premiership in his first two seasons – picking up the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year in his first campaign.
But it’s unlikely Celtic will be able to demand a fee similar to their asking price just a few months ago, given the player’s current unsettled status.
Speaking ahead of today’s clash against Kilmarnock, Rodgers said: “I’m really empathetic towards the issue that he has.
“It’s more than football, it’s at a human level and we have to respect that.
“He’s training, he’s working but as I said it’s all about the mind and if you’re not quite right or ready then I can’t take any risk with him and protect the squad as well.
“People can talk about what’s going on there and then forget about it but that’s the reality for him – that’s his life.
“Every day and night, families in a war. So it’s a really tough situation for him and on a human level I have empathy for him.
“It’s my job and we’ll do that as I have with a number of players before, take the human aspect, and look after him. When he’s ready, if he’s ever ready, he’ll give us everything.
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“Might he have to look for a move or a loan? It’s a possibility, we’ll see. We’ll work together on it.”
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