The summer transfer window is open and the latest Celtic transfer talk has centred on Arne Engels, Hayato Inamura, Jakob Breum, Mat Ryan and Benjamin Arthur.
Celtic have lost a number of players already in the close season, so new boss Martin O’Neill already has squad gaps to address not only to replace them, but find better quality to upgrade what he has at his disposal.
Here is a transfer round up on Arne Engels’ Celtic future, the possibility of Jakob Breum’s move to Glasgow and whether O’Neill has a goalkeeper lined up after Kasper Schmeichel’s retirement.
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Arne Engels and Jakob Breum leave Celtic with two different transfer calls
Arne Engels remains on Nottingham Forest’s radar, but the latest update around the Belgian is not quite as straightforward as it first looked.
Forest are now said to be targeting Lucas Bergvall as their preferred replacement for Elliot Anderson, despite previously being linked with Engels after a January move for the Celtic midfielder.
That does not mean the Premier League club have ended their interest in Engels, but it does leave Celtic waiting to see whether another serious bid will be made by Forest.
Martin O’Neill’s January view on Engels was clear enough. Asked about the previous Forest interest, the Celtic manager said: “I’d want it rebuffed, unless it was £100 million.”
Elsewhere, Go Ahead Eagles have yet to receive an approach for Jakob Breum, despite Celtic reportedly retaining interest in the Danish midfielder.
Breum had 13 goal contributions last season and is now in the final year of his contract. Celtic had bids rejected last summer, but no fresh approach has yet been made.
Hayato Inamura Celtic exit raises familiar recruitment question
Hayato Inamura has left Celtic for FC Tokyo, bringing a short and unusual Parkhead spell to an end.
The defender joined Celtic from Albirex Niigata for around £250,000, but made just one competitive appearance before returning to Japan permanently.
Reports have claimed FC Tokyo could be paying more than £1 million for Inamura, which would represent a big profit for Celtic.
Inamura has already spoken about the move, saying: “I’m determined to fight to become a part of Tokyo’s history.”
For the player, it is a fresh start. For Celtic, it raises another familiar recruitment question after a signing left before ever making a proper first-team impact.
Mat Ryan and Benjamin Arthur keep Celtic transfer talk going
Mat Ryan is reportedly in talks with Club Brugge, despite being linked with Celtic as the club look at goalkeeper options.
The 34-year-old Australia international is available on a free transfer after spending last season as Levante’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Celtic have been linked with Ryan after Kasper Schmeichel’s retirement, but the transfer momentum appears to be with Brugge rather than the Hoops.
Benjamin Arthur has sparked Celtic talk after posting off-season training images in Hoops gear.
The defender made six appearances during his loan spell from Brentford, but there is no indication at this stage that Celtic are targeting a return.
These updates show how scattered Celtic’s window already looks. Engels remains the name on everyone’s lips, Inamura has gone, Breum is still being linked, Ryan may be heading elsewhere and Arthur’s post is worth noting, but nothing stronger than that.
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