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May 3, 2024
As per an article published in The Scottish Sun, Celtic is among the clubs interested in signing 22-year-old goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo from Aston Villa. Sinisalo joined Villa in the summer of 2018 from lower league FC Espoo in Finland but has yet to make his senior debut for the Premier League team. He has, however, played for their Under-21s in the EFL Trophy and has had several loan spells.
After spending time at Ayr United and Burton Albion, Sinisalo is currently on loan at Exeter City in League One. He has been a key player there, helping the Grecians secure a 13th-place finish.
His impressive performances this season have drawn attention, with just a few weeks until the transfer market reopens. Celtic is reportedly looking to strengthen their goalkeeping options, with manager Brendan Rodgers eager to add two new goalkeepers ahead of the next season, making Sinisalo a potential target.
However, the Celtics may face competition, as several championship clubs monitor Finnish internationals. With just over a year left on Sinisalo’s contract at Villa, this summer could be the club’s last opportunity to capitalize on his potential, with an estimated value of around £3 million.
The links to Viljami Sinisalo are promising for Celtic and any Championship clubs eyeing his signature. With Joe Hart retiring and Scott Bain’s contract expiring at the end of this season, Celtic will need goalkeeping reinforcements this summer. Sinisalo could fill that gap and has the potential to be a valuable asset for years to come.
Several Football League clubs are also likely to seek a goalkeeper this summer. Given the level of interest in the Finnish international, securing his services could be a significant achievement for whichever club succeeds.
However, it’s worth noting that Sinisalo’s estimated valuation of £3 million might affect the competition for his signature, as some clubs may consider that a hefty price. Therefore, the situation surrounding Sinisalo is one to watch closely as the summer transfer window approaches.
Former Championship player Sam Parkin has expressed that Leeds United’s recent decline in form is more concerning than Southampton’s as the playoffs approach. Leeds need a minor miracle on the final day to secure automatic promotion in the Championship and are likely to enter the playoffs alongside three other teams.
The Whites are set to become the first team in history to miss out on automatic promotion despite earning 90 or more points. Parkin believes that, heading into the playoffs, Leeds will no longer appear to be the strongest contender.
While he acknowledges Southampton’s struggles, Parkin finds them understandable, as the Saints have already secured their playoff spot and have lost momentum in the race for the top two. In contrast, he emphasized that Leeds’ situation is more alarming, noting that their usually solid defense has been leaking goals, including two from set pieces against a QPR side that has struggled with dead-ball situations all season.
Parkin said on the What The EFL Podcast: “I am not so sure they [Leeds] are [going to be the best team in the playoffs] at the moment.
“Southampton have had an incredible run this season, they have got an incredible squad with a real depth.
“I suppose it’s slightly more understandable that there has been a drop off in results and their performances, given they are cemented for the playoffs but are not going to run to have the automatic.
“We shouldn’t be too surprised that they lost three games on the spin.
“For Leeds, that is incredibly worrying.
“For a defence that has been so solid and racking up the clean sheets throughout the campaign, to see them conceding seven goals, to see the weak spots from dead balls and set-pieces.
“QPR have been woeful from free-kicks and corner kicks, but to score from two of those so comfortably is a real concern for them.”
Leeds and Southampton could only meet in the playoff final this season, meaning each would have to navigate a semi-final first.
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Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and football sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Football News Today, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for football, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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