Salvatore Esposito has become the latest name linked with a potential move to Celtic, with TBR football suggesting the Hoops are monitoring the Italian midfielder ahead of a possible transfer.

The 24-year-old, who operates mainly in a holding role but is comfortable playing further forward, has played in both Serie A and Serie B, and even made a senior appearance for Italy.

While his main position is as a defensive midfielder, Esposito has also featured as a number eight and occasionally in a more attacking role. His experience includes a stint in Italy’s top flight during the second half of the 2022/23 season, although most of his playing time has come in the second tier.

He made his debut for the Italian national team in June 2022, coming off the bench in a Nations League draw against England.

The same report that mentions Celtic’s interest also throws Rangers into the mix, which is a well-worn feature of transfer stories in Scotland.

That type of link often pops up during the summer window and tends to raise eyebrows, given how different the approaches at the two clubs can be. It’s the sort of rumour that sometimes seems designed to generate headlines more than reflect genuine negotiations.

Adding to the sense of speculation is the list of English clubs supposedly keeping tabs on the player. Brighton, Burnley, Brentford, Fulham, Everton, and Sunderland have all been name-checked, which can sometimes be a sign that agents or sources are trying to drum up wider interest rather than point to a specific move.

There’s no doubt that Esposito has qualities that could attract a club like Celtic. His age, flexibility in midfield, and international background make him an interesting prospect.

But at this stage, there’s little to suggest that anything is advanced or concrete. Supporters are well used to this type of transfer talk in July, and while it’s not one to completely ignore, it’s also not one to take as gospel just yet.