Club Brugge are reportedly holding active talks with Yann Sommer.
Given that Celtic have a vacancy in the goalkeeping position this summer — whether they want a new first-choice or not — they really could do a lot worse.
The retirement of Kasper Schmeichel hasn’t just left a goalkeeping vacancy; it has also taken significant experience out of the squad. Much like predecessor Joe Hart, the Dane played a vocal leadership role.
Given the extent of the rebuild needing to be done next season a signing with the pedigree of Sommer would be much more preferable than sticking with the gamble of Viljami Siniaslo as first-choice.
Has he done enough?
Club Brugge interest shows that Yann Sommer and Mat Ryan are in Celtic’s price range
According to leading Belgian outlet Nieuwsblad, Sommer is currently in talks with the Flanders club.
They have lost their own experienced goalkeeper in the shape of Simon Mignolet.
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Brugge fish in exactly the same ponds as Celtic, sadly to better effect. Last summer, they brought in over £70 million in player sales.
Regardless, there is more than enough in the biscuit tin at Parkhead to compete with these moves financially.
Sommer, on paper, would be an exceptional addition. He spent almost all of this season as Inter Milan’s first-choice goalkeeper as they comfortably won Serie A.
He has also previously won the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, though his biggest association is with Borussia Monchengladbach, where he made 335 appearances and served as captain.
He has played at Celtic Park before in a 2-0 win for Gladbach against Brendan Rodgers’ Celts in the Champions League Group Stage in 2016.
At 6 ft tall, he is not as tall as your average goalkeeper, but known for strong agility and distribution.
He is perfect for a ball-dominant team, and his experience of captaincy and winning trophies at the highest level make his availability a huge opportunity.
👀 A reasonable figure?
Celtic need a goalkeeper this summer, and seem to want one
A goalkeeper appears to be a priority for Celtic’s recruitment department this summer, with Nikolas Polster being linked with the Hoops.
They haven’t had as much luck with Jari de Busser, who has recently agreed a move to AZ Alkmaar.
Motherwell stopper Calum Ward is also reportedly of interest, along with his club teammates Elijah Just, Tawanda Maswanhise and Elliot Watt.
Pierce Charles of Sheffield Wednesday is also a Celtic target, though the Hoops face competition from Rangers and Manchester City.
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