Celtic fans are expectant as they await new arrivals this summer amid Brendan Rodgers’ desire to build on a successful 2023/24 campaign.
With the limbo of being in the close season, talk of potential incomings continues to dominate the landscape. Prominently, the pursuit of a new goalkeeper is hot on the agenda at Parkhead.
Newcastle United man Martin Dubravka and Sparta Prague’s Peter Vindahl Jensen are among targets to replace Joe Hart as the last line of defence.
Nevertheless, offloading fringe players will also be an important endeavour at Celtic as the new campaign draws closer for a number of reasons.
Why offloading fringe players could be vital for Brendan Rodgers
The main benefit of trimming the squad is capitalising on the ability to free up wage space, which is obvious. Furthermore, there will also be the opportunity to recoup some money for exiled individuals, providing extra funds to reinvest in acquiring new bodies.
Nevertheless, Rodgers could also take a step closer to fulfilling his wish to bring through more academy products at the club, something he has referenced several times since returning to Parkhead for his second spell in charge.
He stated earlier this year: “You might not have a team full of them, but you certainly need to have those home-grown players coming through. If there is not a pathway they end up looking elsewhere. That is why I talk about minimising my squad so that your football strategy really becomes top, high-potential young players.”
Evaluating the present situation, peripheral figures Gustaf Lagerbielke and Hyeongyu Oh are attracting interest from Lecce and Genk, respectively. The latter is already in talks over a move, though it isn’t clear if any prospective agreement would be a loan or permanent switch.
Parma are courting Sead Haksanabovic, and he could be the third player off the books at Celtic. Two of the three players mentioned were included in the Bhoys’ Champions League squad last year, where they finished on four points.
Despite this, both weren’t exactly trusted starters. Clearing space in non-homegrown slots could come in handy before sourcing new arrivals, who, in turn, would be able to be registered with minimal fuss, improving the strength of Celtic’s depth heading into the competition’s new format.
While excitement continues to swirl surrounding transfer activity over the coming months, several moving parts are at play here.
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