Celtic want both Bruma and McKenna - Report

By David Walton

August 21, 2018

Celtic want both Scott McKenna and Jeffrey Bruma before the end of the transfer window.

The Daily Star are reporting that Brendan Rodgers wants not one but both of his top defensive targets.

The transfer deadline for Scottish clubs is at the end of August, leaving the Scottish Champions little time to get deals done. However, Rodgers wants the club to end the window with a bang and a double-signing.

The £10m man

Scott McKenna is valued at £10m (David Young/Action Plus via Getty Images)

McKenna is believed to be valued at £10million by Aberdeen. The Dons won’t want to sell any of their star-men to Scottish rivals. However, Celtic believe they can get their man for a lot less than Aberdeen want.

The four-time capped Scottish internationalist is currently out nursing a hamstring injury and will continue to miss out for the next four weeks. This isn’t likely to have an effect on his valuation, however.

The Dons also rejected bids from both Swansea City and Hull City in the summer for McKenna. This shows that Derek McInnes will fight tooth and nail to keep his man beyond the deadline.

The Flying Dutchman

Celtic apparently want both Jeffrey Bruma and McKenna (Peter Lous/Soccrates/Getty Images)

The alternative to McKenna appeared to be Wolfsburg’s Bruma. On initial pricing, Bruma would come cheaper as the Bundesliga club are holding out for £7m.

Wolfsburg are prepared to let the Netherlands internationalist leave the club, and Rodgers is a firm admirer of the 26-year-old.

The Daily Star believe that Celtic are prepared to splash out on both, but it would be uncharted territory for the Hoops. Celtic have never secured a double signing of more than £15m, but the money is there from previous Champions League qualifying successes.

The desire to beef up the defence will be a huge boost to supporters. Many fans believe the club hasn’t invested enough in the playing squad, with the back-line coming in for much criticism.

A Champions League qualifying defeat as well as a slow start to the league campaign has only heightened demand for transfer action.

It remains to be seen if these transfers come to fruition. However, Celtic will need to sign someone before the window closes.