Celtic scouts are to watch Silas Andersen ahead of a potential summer move, according to a report.
Martin O’Neill’s permanent future is uncertain, but regardless of who will be in the Parkhead dugout next season, the club are already doing the groundwork for future targets.
Celtic were linked with Andersen in January, but were hardball in their negotiating, scaring suitors off with a price tag of €10 million.
The midfielder was more intensely pursued by the likes of Rangers and Copenhagen, who both sent bids during the winter window.
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According to German outlet Express, both the Hoops and their Glasgow rivals are expected to send scouts to watch Andersen ahead of the summer window.
His club, BK Hacken, are only just getting underway in their season, with the Swedish league operating an April-December schedule.
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The report is centred around the interest of FC Koln, who look destined to lose key midfielder Eric Martel on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Andersen’s price tag certainly hasn’t gone down since January, given that he agreed a new contract with the Swedish side last month.
Aged 21, he stands at 6 ft 3 in tall, and operates as both a defensive number six and a box-to-box number eight for his club.
Following a two-year tenure at Inter Milan and time with Utrecht’s reserve team, the midfielder has adapted to senior football at Hacken, becoming a strong ball-carrier and earning a place in Denmark’s under-21 squad.
He would offer a much-needed physical presence in the Hoops’ midfield, but they are to win the race for him, they’ll have to push hard.
Paulo Bernardo looks set to leave Celtic this summer, whilst Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s short-term contract will expire at the end of the season.
There is also likely to be interest in both Arne Engels and Benjamin Nygren this summer.
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Other midfielders linked with Celtic
Despite currently having seven in their squad, Celtic have already been linked with plenty of midfielders since the closure of the January window.
Among them is Damian Bobadilla of Sao Paulo. The Paraguayan is more attack-minded than Andersen, but still offers a physical, well-rounded profile.
Closer to home, Celtic continue to monitor Miguel Chaiwa of Hibs, as well as David Watson of Kilmarnock. Both are tireless, box-to-box midfielders.
Elijah Just’s name isn’t going anywhere, either. He would certainly come into real focus if Nygren were to depart.
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