Fabrizio Romano reports Bodø/Glimt are losing another key player ahead of Celtic meeting

By Euan Davidson

December 21, 2021

The next European opponents Celtic will face, Norwegian champions Bodø/Glimt, are being raided for another star, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Romano, generally Europe’s go-to source for transfers, believes Krasnodar are in for Bodø/Glimt man Erik Botheim. Botheim has been a key contributor for the Norwegian club, scoring 7 in 14 in European competition [Transfermarkt]. Domestically, he hit 15 goals in the 2021 Eliteserien campaign for the Arctic Circle side.

It’s down to the final details, according to Romano, who tweeted:

Patrick Berg was announced as a signing for RC Lens yesterday. Earlier this month Hertha Berlin sealed the signing of Fredrik André Bjørkan. All in, it’s been a disappointing, if somewhat inevitable series of moves from Bodø/Glimt ahead of meeting Celtic.

They’ve lost reliability in the form of Bjørkan and Berg. Now, their biggest goal threat looks on the cusp of leaving the club.

Meanwhile, Celtic should be bringing in some talent at the start of January. Not only that, players who have missed matches in recent weeks ought to have recovered by the Europa Conference League’s resumption.

Pretty encouraging stuff for Celtic, but Bodø/Glimt tend to recruit well. It’ll be really interesting seeing what they do next, but that’s three vital players for Knutsen’s side.

A potential boost for Celtic as Bodø/Glimt on verge of sale, according to Fabrizio Romano

Fabrizio Romano doesn’t tend to get a lot wrong. There’s a reason he’s so revered online as a transfer expert, and in this case, it’s unlikely he’s missed the mark.

For Bodø/Glimt, the timing couldn’t be a lot worse, especially if they have designs on making a lasting mark in the Europa Conference League. The side, based in the far north of Norway, have obviously recruited smartly over recent years, but these are three key players.

They won’t be easy to replace. Especially in a short time-frame.

But this doesn’t mean Celtic can relax about Bodø/Glimt’s threat. This is a side who put 6 past Roma, and it’s not as if they’re selling the entire first-team squad. There are internationals in there. It’ll be a stern test regardless.

However, it is somewhat encouraging, even if it’s nothing to get complacent about. Celtic will be adding from a position of strength, having had our big departures in the summer. Bodø/Glimt appear to be going through a process we went through already.

Who knows how it’ll go. It’ll be a fascinating contest either way.

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