Cardiff City are set to secure the services of Celtic midfielder David Turnbull in a £2 million deal, according to a report in the Daily Record.
The Scottish international joined the Parkhead club from Scottish Premiership rivals Motherwell in August 2020 and was part of Ange Postecoglu’s treble-winning before losing his regular starting berth. He has continued to struggle for game time this season under Brendan Rodgers but has still managed seven goals this season.
During his three-and-a-half-year spell with the 53-time Scottish champions, the 24-year-old has demonstrated his ability to find the net and has scored 31 goals and added 23 assists, helping the club secure two league titles, two Scottish cups and two league cups in that time.
With just six months left on his contract, it is believed that Championship side Cardiff take Turnbull in a deal that will see Celtic recoup a chunk of the reported record fee of over £3 million they paid Motherwell for the then 21-year-old midfielder. Celtic have added German winger Nicolas Kuhn to their attacking ranks on a permanent deal from Rapid Vienna and look set to add further depth to their squad in the form of Norwich City’s Adam Idah.
The Bluebirds have added Nat Phillips from Liverpool to their defensive line and Grenada forward Famara Diedhiou to their ranks over the last 24 hours and now look to bolster their midfield options. With Turnbull being able to operate successfully in a central or more advanced midfield role, he will provide options for manager Erol Bulut as his side look to push towards a playoff spot.
Writer’s View
This move makes sense for all involved. Celtic will receive a transfer fee that will recoup some of what they paid for a player who is short of being a regular in their starting eleven. They have a squad full of midfielders and a move will allow Turnbull the chance to play more minutes.
At only 24 years old, this could be the type of move that reignites the former Motherwell man’s career particularly if he can continue to show his eye for goal in the Welsh capital. He will surely be hoping it can push him closer to the Scotland squad and allow him to add to his five caps.
For Cardiff, getting a midfield man with an eye for goal who has played in high-profile Champions League matches and who has yet to reach his prime for £2 million could prove to be a snip. High-profile signing Aaron Ramsay has struggled for fitness this season and with Manolis Siopis suffering from injury, Turnbull will be a welcome addition to a depleted Bluebirds midfield.