Celtic have made six summer signings during the current transfer window and manager Brendan Rodgers is already involving them in first-team action.
Odin Thiago Holm, Hyunjun Yang and Maik Nawrocki have all made their competitive debuts. The early signs are promising regarding their potential and it has left supporters craving more deals from the club.
Chris Sutton dedicated his weekly column to the matter this morning, suggesting that the Bhoys are still three players short from where they need to be – in the wide attacking areas, in midfield and at left-back.
Fortunately, that seems to be where the rumour mill is leading us in the final stages of the transfer window. Celtic have been linked with quality options in each position and the chances are strong that the club are working on some pretty big and exciting deals, given the resources available.
The left-back
Celtic currently have Greg Taylor and Alexandro Bernabei as left-back options. Taylor excelled under the former manager in a hybrid midfield role but has looked less certain in matches under Rodgers.
Bernabei meanwhile has failed to really kick on since arriving from Argentina last year. There are question marks about his suitability for Celtic and his ability to defend.
In this context, it makes sense that the Bhoys are looking for a quality upgrade. The most exciting link to date has come from France, specifically in Nantes. Celtic are said to be keen on a move for Quentin Merlin, a young left-back with strong playing experience at a good level.
Reportedly valued at £7m, he is at the upper end of the Bhoys’ spending power but looks destined for a big move at some point and could have the kind of potential to compete at a European level. Everyone will be watching this situation unfold in the final two weeks of the window.
Midfield potential
Sutton reckons that Celtic need another body in midfield and it just so happens Celtic have been consistently linked with central players throughout the window.
The Scott McTominay rumour always seemed a non-starter, but on the other side of Manchester the Bhoys have been linked with two up-and-coming midfielders that could fit the bill.
James McAtee and Tommy Doyle both shone on loan for Sheffield United in the English Championship last season and are said to have dozens of clubs watching their situation this month – including Celtic.
McAtee is talented enough to have been included in match squads under Pep Guardiola in the opening games of the season, while Doyle could be looking for a place to play regular week-to-week football for another year.
Getting them both in the door seems unlikely but nabbing one of them, on loan or a loan-to-buy basis, would both bolster Celtic squad depth and land a player on the up. The club’s relationship with the City Group is strong and it’d be silly to rule out either of these deals happening towards the end of the window.
The Jota replacement
Some of your more optimistic Celtic fans may suggest that we don’t need a Jota replacement – we’ve signed Hyunjun Yang and Marco Tilio after all. But that’s taking a gamble Celtic don’t need to be taking.
The Bhoys have the resources and the cash to secure a quality, proven replacement for the Portuguese talent that strengthens Rodgers’ current wide options, while Yang and Tilio get used to life in Scotland and attempt to fill their potential.
Recently, it’s become clear that Celtic are shopping for a high calibre of player. Most encouragingly, Sky Sports have reported that the Bhoys are keeping a close eye on Daniel Podence’s situation at Wolves this summer.
It’s said that Celtic are confident of talking Wolves down from an initial £12m asking price, bringing Podence within reach of the Scottish champions.
Like others we’ve been linked with, there’s a long way to go to pat Celtic on the back for a job well done, but it does seem the club are looking in promising places for the players Rodgers needs.
With the last two weeks of the window set to heat up, the Bhoys are well poised to strike for the transfers that will turn this summer into a really good one for the club.
In other news, Horrible Celtic luck after new contract; Stephen Welsh injury scan results revealed.
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