Report suggests Eddie Howe is doing behind-the-scenes work for Celtic

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Eddie Howe is working behind-the-scenes to try and identify new signing targets for Celtic this summer, according to the Scottish Sun.

Howe looks like becoming the next Hoops boss, with fans eagerly awaiting official confirmation of his appointment. It had been reported yesterday by The Sun that Howe’s demand to have Richard Hughes as his director of football had complicated things.

However, last night’s Sun report has claimed he’s identified Everton striker Josh King as Odsonne Edouard’s replacement. The Everton striker is understood to be on £45000-per-week down in Merseyside. Therefore, a big wage cut would likely have to be accepted by the ex-Bournemouth man.

King worked with Howe at the Cherries, where the striker enjoyed his best ever spell in football. He bagged 53 goals in 184 appearances during his time at the Vitality Stadium [Transfermarkt].

This season, however, King has struggled to make an impact under Carlo Ancelotti. He’s made only eight appearances and has failed to find the back of the net. A fresh start is clearly needed for the Norwegian international.

Howe seemingly doing important work for Celtic in the background; the deal is clearly done

From the outside looking in, it’s clear that this deal is more or less done. A case of dotting the Is and crossing the Ts comes to mind. Especially if he’s already ramping up his recruitment drive ahead of the summer.

But the King stuff is particularly interesting. Sure, the pair have a positive relationship after their time working together down south. King has talked up Howe’s influence on him in the past [AFCB]. But money doesn’t lie either.

He’s on a healthy wage down south and was even linked with a big move to Manchester United back in 2020 [talkSPORT]. Getting him to agree to come to Parkhead could be tricky. Especially considering the fact he only signed for Everton a couple of months ago.

His contract in Merseyside is up at the end of the season however given that it was a short-term deal. Therefore, Celtic wouldn’t have to negotiate a transfer fee with a selling club. The carrot we would effectively be offering him would be a chance to revitalise his career under the man who helped made him before.

Regardless, the bigger picture here is promising. It’s class for Celtic fans to see that Howe is working away in the background before he’s officially announced. That suggests that a deal is pretty much complete.

And if he’s getting an early start ahead of the summer, that should stand us in great stead for what will be a hectic transfer window.

In other news, we take a look at three players who could become Celtic regulars next season.