Celtic’s summer recruitment drive has to be underway already.
It has to be. Brendan Rodgers and his scouting staff will know the January window was unacceptable and the bench looked seriously thin against Rangers last weekend.
It’s clear to see moves must be made with a number of positions needing bolstered including striker, left-back – if Greg Taylor opts to leave the club – and possibly in the midfield.
And that is exactly where the freshest transfer link has come from as an ex-teammate of Arne Engels‘ at Augsburg has emerged in the German media as a possible Celtic target for the coming months.
Elvis Rexhbeçaj has been named as an option for the Hoops who have kept an eye on the 27-year-old Kosovo international. FussballTransfers in Germany claim Celtic have “knocked on the door” for Rexhbeçaj as they seek midfield reinforcements.
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Celtic are ‘interested’ in Augsburg’s Elvis Rexhbeçaj
Rexhbeçaj – valued at around £3.5million – has 18 months left on his deal with the Bundesliga club which could work in Celtic’s favour, potentially, if his club fancy cashing in on the defensive-minded player before they lose some value on his services.
Turkish giants Besiktas have been named as an alternative for the player while Parma of Italy are also said to be keen on the player.
One hurdle Celtic may have to overcome to land Rexhbeçaj is the player’s own mindset with seemingly little desire to leave Augsburg at this moment in time.
The engine room star has already hinted that he plans to be with his club for the “long term” and that could work against Rodgers’ outfit should they wish to submit an official, concrete proposal.
During his international duties with Kosovo, Rexhbeçaj told the gathered media this week: “I am very happy at Augsburg and the move has paid off in every way.
What Rexhbeçaj said about his Augsburg future amid Celtic links
“I have been a part of the team whenever I have been fit, and I do everything I can to contribute. From a personal point of view, I have remained true to myself and continue to grow. This is helped by the fact that I feel at home here; I have the feeling that I am here for the long term.
“We are definitely having a very good period and have created some distance between ourselves and the bottom of the table. However, we have to keep our feet on the ground; things can change at any moment in the Bundesliga, so we cannot allow ourselves to lose focus.
“We have to stay focused and not get hung up on the table, but take each game as it comes and continue to build on what we have done.
“I want to continue to do everything I can to help us achieve success and continue to progress as a team.”
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