Italian club Atalanta are unwilling to sell Celtic target Timothy Castagne.

The Belgium international has been subject to speculation recently, but Brendan Rodgers now faces a tough task.

The Scottish Daily Mail reports that Castagne’s club don’t want to sell this window.

This is a major set-back as the club is in dire need for a new right-back.

Back to the drawing board for Brendan Rodgers

The £6 million rated full-back was a surprise name but a needed requirement for Celtic.

Fans have been unhappy with the performances of Mikael Lustig and Cristian Gamboa this season.

Supporters were happy to be linked to the defender, who can also play in midfield, having watched him play against Scotland at Hampden Park last year.

Castagne has made 14 appearances in all competitions for Atalanta this season, but hasn’t been a mainstay in the starting 11.

The 23-year-old wouldn’t be joining unfamiliar territory either, with international defensive partner Dedryck Boyata a big part of the Celtic back-line.

This is the ideal market for Celtic – getting young players not getting proper game time in the top five leagues.

Atalanta appears to have put a blockage in Rodgers’ pursuit, meaning other targets will need to be pursued.

How can Celtic acquire Castagne?

Rodgers and Lee Congerton will need to pull a rabbit out of the hat to get their man now.

Atalanta have reportedly met with the player’s representatives this week to secure his future with the Italian side.

The club have also claimed that it will take an exceptional offer to pry the right-back from them.

The £6 million rumoured fee is as high as The Bhoys will probably go for the player.

Rodgers must get the board’s support to lodge this fee, as this is a key area of the pitch which needs improving.

For a Belgian international, this amount could be a bargain for the future.

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