What Celtic need to do in the transfer window after goalkeeper situation conclusion

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Celtic look to be nearing a conclusion on the goalkeeper front following months of speculation surrounding the position.

Viljami Sinisalo has already arrived at the club and is out in the United States with his teammates after joining on a five-year contract from Aston Villa.

At the time of writing, veteran stopper Kasper Schmeichel could be announced at any minute on a free transfer after leaving Anderlecht this summer. The Denmark international was scheduled to complete his medical in Italy yesterday and could finalise a reunion with Brendan Rodgers.

Either way, with the goalkeeper situation set to become the least of Celtic’s worries, there are other priorities that need to be taken care of in the transfer window.

Celtic’s defensive transfer priorities this summer

The Bhoys enter the new campaign retaining the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup; nevertheless, few supporters would argue that the squad doesn’t need strengthening in order to better their feat this time around.

Central defence is an area where improvements may be required. Liam Scales made the step up last campaign and performed admirably; regardless, Gustaf Lagerbielke has admitted he’d be open to a new challenge this summer, and Maik Nawrocki’s injury record doesn’t make for fantastic reading despite his talent.

Salernitana’s Flavius Daniliuc, Bournemouth defender Chris Mepham and Burnley’s Dara O’Shea have been touted as potential options Celtic could turn to in their hunt for steel within the rearguard.

Greg Taylor is the only senior left-back on the books at Celtic currently, and it remains to be seen whether Rodgers will move to provide competition for the Scotland international. Alternatively, someone like Mitchel Frame could be given a chance to stake a claim following his involvement against Ayr United and Queens Park in pre-season.

There haven’t been many reports of left-sided defenders mooted to be on the Hoops’ radar, so it may rank somewhere down the priority list for the time being.

Celtic’s search for quality from middle to front continues

Paulo Bernardo appears primed to boost Celtic’s engine room amid news that the club have agreed a £3.5 million fee to land him from Benfica on a four-year contract worth £17,470 per week in wages.

The Portugal Under-21 international would provide valuable depth in central midfield, though the middle of the park may need further surgery if Matt O’Riley leaves amid interest in him from Atalanta.

On the flanks, Celtic have contacted Royal Antwerp regarding winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha, and further talks are pencilled in for later this week. The 23-year-old registered eight goals and ten assists last term, possessing the sort of end product lacking from wide at times in 2023/24.

Through the middle, discussions remain ongoing with Norwich City to try and find an agreement to bring Adam Idah back north of the border. Celtic saw a bid of £4 million plus add-ons turned down for the Irish striker earlier this month.

Hyeongyu Oh’s exit to Genk has left Kyogo Furuhashi as the only recognised centre-forward on the books, which needs to be addressed as a pressing priority ahead of the league season commencing.

In a nutshell, deals may have started to near completion at Celtic, but there is a tonne of work still to be done before Rodgers will be satisfied with his summer activity.

Decisions need to be made on the transfer front, and time is of the essence for recruitment chiefs at Parkhead.