Celtic fans, deadline day is finally here and there’s certain to be a number of incomings and outgoings to thrash out right until the end.
The summer 2024 window closes for Scottish teams at 11.30pm this evening and the Hoops are set to be extremely active in what is a volatile market.
Brendan Rodgers has signed five players this summer with spending up until deadline day standing at just over £13m.
But as it stands, the first-team squad at Parkhead is weaker than last season particularly following the record-breaking departure of Matt O’Riley to Brighton & Hove Albion.
As such, Celtic fans are pleading with the Glasgow club’s hierarchy to open up their wallets and conduct the deals that need to be struck with Champions League league phase football on the horizon.
So who exactly could be unveiled as new Celtic signings today? 67 Hail Hail have listed below four stars who may well be committing their future to Glasgow’s finest for the next few years.
£11m Augsburg star Arne Engels
The Arne Engels to Celtic deal appears most likely to be completed at the moment after a breakthrough on Thursday afternoon.
Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph revealed that Celtic agreed a £11m move for 20-year-old Engels, who plays as a midfielder.
It comes after Celtic had two previous bids rejected for the highly-rated Belgian with Augsburg adopting a hardball transfer stance.
If the deal goes through smoothly today, it will shatter Celtic’s transfer record which is currently held by Adam Idah after his £9.5m switch from Norwich City.
But Brendan Rodgers wants two midfielders through the door before the deadline passes so who else are Celtic targeting?
Alvyn Sanches back on radar
Celtic fans may be familiar with the name Alvyn Sanches having previously held talks with the Glasgow giants this summer.
The Hoops placed Sanches on the back-burner as a more attractive option in LAFC’s Mateusz Bogusz was pursued.
But negotiations were unsuccessful with regards to Bogusz – the Polish former Leeds United attacking midfielder – and thus, Celtic pulled the plug on a potential deal.
Attentions have now turned back to Sanches, who has registered 16 goals and seven assists in 86 appearances for Swiss side FC Lausanne-Sport.
He could be available for a price between a reported £3m and £4.3m but time is ticking and Celtic need to work hard if they want to secure the services of the Swiss U21 starlet today.
Dundee’s Luke McCowan still possible
If Rodgers struggles to secure the Sanches deal, then Celtic could fall back on a potential deal for Dundee midfielder Luke McCowan.
The 26-year-old has been one of the Dens Park side’s outstanding stars over the last few years and enjoyed a fantastic 2023/24 campaign as the club finished in the Scottish Premiership top six.
He already has registered nine goal contributions in eight games this season so far, albeit many of those coming in the Premier Sports Cup group stage.
McCowan is also being targeted by Hibs, who are still reportedly waiting to hear on whether Dundee will accept or reject an active bid of £750k.
Could Celtic steal a march on the Edinburgh giants at some point across the day or will the club be able to successfully strike deals for Engels and Sanches?
Auston Trusty chase
While central midfield is clearly Rodgers’ priority over the next few hours, it’s fair to say Celtic still need to sign a centre-back.
Auston Trusty appears to be the man Celtic want to strengthen in that position and provide competition for Liam Scales – both are left-sided defenders.
The Bhoys lodged a £5m bid this week for the Sheffield United star but that was reportedly knocked back. £5.5m was then said to be offered but the EFL Championship charges seek a £6m fee.
Whether the Celtic board wish to splurge that sort of cash on Trusty remains to be seen, especially when £11m is set to be sent to Augsburg for Engels.
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