There are fewer than two weeks of the transfer window remaining and panic stations are beginning to set in amongst some of the Celtic fanbase.
Julian Araujo is the club’s only signing of 2026 at the moment, despite endless links to players of various positions.
The number nine role is the priority this winter, and the one receiving the most attention in the media.
To be truthful, Celtic need a lot more than that and can afford to spend given that Dermot Desmond is sitting on a big pile of cash.
We know the club are used to wheeling and dealing where possible so will almost certainly be looking at those players out of contract at the end of the season who they may be able to sign for a cheeky bargain right now.
Change my mind…
Xaver Schlager – RB Leipzig
Starting Callum McGregor against Auchinleck Talbot proved that Celtic are really underprepared when it comes to finding a replacement for him.
Whether it be someone who can play alongside him or act as an understudy, things need to change to bolster that midfield three.
Xaver Schlager, 28, has featured a fair bit for RB Leipzig this season but is also out of contract this summer.
Arne Engels is of interest to Leipzig and that could help the Hoops by potentially asking for the Austrian, who can play in all of the various central midfield roles.
Johan Romana – San Lorenzo
Centre-back has caused issues all season long for Celtic.
Cameron Carter-Vickers’ season-ending injury majorly disrupted the team and options outside of Liam Scales and Auston Trusty are sparse.
Stephen Welsh was recalled from his loan at Motherwell but still looks unlikely to have a long-term future here, while Dane Murray isn’t good enough.
Over in Argentina, Johan Romana is attracting interest from River Plate and Inter Miami.
The 27-year-old Colombian defender fits the criteria of a right-sided centre-back, who can also fill in at right-back, making him a versatile option.
Romana’s contract technically expires in December 2026 but the Hoops could land him in a cut-price deal.
Tobias Lauritsen – Sparta Rotterdam
It wouldn’t be a Celtic transfer shortlist without a striker option, would it?
Those watching the club’s misfortunes can’t emphasise enough how desperately the club needs a striker.
Johnny Kenny needs about 15 chances to score, Kelechi Iheanacho’s fitness makes him unreliable, Callum Osmand is still way off returning and Daizen Maeda is more effective out wide.
An out-and-out number nine is needed and Tobias Lauritsen could fit the bill perfectly.
Would you sell Johnny Kenny in January?
Lauritsen has been scoring goals for Sparta Rotterdam and has hit double figures in every season since joining the Eredivisie club in 2022.
At Celtic, he would get even more opportunities due to the more dominant nature of the league and could easily be a 25-30 goal-a-season forward.
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