There are all types of transfer links during the manic summer months – they come in all shapes and sizes.
Some are a bolt from the blue while others appear to make sense for all parties involved. And the link out of Ukraine which states Celtic are the favourites to sign Shakhtar Donetsk's departing winger Tete appears strong. The 23-year-old spent time with Brendan Rodgers last season as the wide man cut short his loan stint at Lyon for a redemption shot at Leicester. Tete was among several arrivals as the Irishman aimed to give the Foxes fresh hope but some observers were left unconvinced he backed up his lofty £20m valuation.
It didn't pay off and Rodgers' exit from the King Power Stadium was followed by relegation as Tete had his minutes cut under Dean Smith and John Terry. But what kind of player is he and what would he bring to Celtic? Record Sport runs the rule over the Brazil U23 cap as he closes in on becoming a free agent with the remaining months on his Shakhtar contract set to be ripped up.
Tell me more about Tete
The jet-heeled wide man left his homeland in 2019 as he swapped Gremio for a shot with Shakhtar. Brazilian players have been the backbone of their success during the 2000s with Willian, Fred and Fernandinho among the standouts who have impressed before earning money-spinning moves elsewhere. And the hype train surrounding the winger was leaving the station as soon as he strutted his stuff with Donetsk. He was integral member of the Shakhtar side which narrowly missed out on the Champions League knockouts in 2020 after a pair of wins over Real Madrid, with Tete himself netting in the 3-2 triumph in the Bernabeu.
What kind of player is Tete?
The Brazilian winger is a right-sided left-footed winger - pure and simple. If the hallmark of Ange Postecoglou's side was the shape-shifting options Jota, Maeda and others could offer then Tete specialises on playing on the one side. New arrival Marco Tilio plays on the right too and that is the position where Tete thrives.
The preferred position for £25m man Jota was on the left but he was willing to star on the right which allowed Daizen Maeda's unmatched work-rate to come to the fore and give Angeball its press which pounded the opposition into submission. Rodgers is keen on Maeda – as the long-term contract shows – and that would open up a four-way fight on the right if Tete signs. Forrest, for all his success in Rodgers' first stint in charge, has been beset by injuries, Tilio is the new recruit and Abada has been admired by a clutch of clubs across Europe.
Tete vs Abada vs Jota
A triple threat match here and one that has yielded compelling results. An unavoidable caveat which must be added is Tete's numbers are skewed by starring in Lyon and Leicester sides suffering seasons to forget. He likes a goal (averaging 8.2 per season) over the past four years. His numbers for last season do not stack up Jota and Abada but it is worth adding Postecoglou's uber-attacking approach was in full bloom during his second campaign. Jota was often preferred to Abada on the right in the biggest games but the Israel international was still a goal and assist threat whenever he played.
| 22/23 | Jota | Abada | Tete |
| Goals | 15 | 13 | 7 |
| XG | 11.65 | 14.19 | 7.36 |
| Assists | 12 | 8 | 5 |
| Crosses (per 90 mins) | 6.57 | 4.76 | 2.56 |
| Dribbles (per 90 mins | 9.36 | 5.52 | 4.72 |
What else does Tete bring to the party?
Versatility is the key word here. He can operate as both an inside forward – think Abada ghosting in at the back post – and is equally adept at hugging the touchline in the way Forrest and Scott Sinclair once did during Rodgers' undefeated record of seven consecutive domestic trophies.
He also struck up a decent bond with Moussa Dembele at Lyon two seasons ago and Tete can mix up his crossing style. He likes low balls across the box but isn't afraid to stand one up to the back post. Versatility would be key at Celtic with Kyogo and Oh thriving on different types of service.
Rodgers spent time with him and will be acutely aware of his strengths and weaknesses but it's likely an emerging wide man with Champions League nous and experience in multiple leagues on a reduced fee will be the target of multiple clubs. A player who appears still to have his finest moments ahead of him.
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