What really happened in Kasper Dolberg domino effect that took striker transfer out of Celtic’s hands

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Kasper Dolberg was Celtic’s main striker target for the last week of the transfer window.

The Anderlecht striker, who racked up 18 goals in the Belgian top-flight last season, became available for a move after his club was eliminated from the UEFA Conference League qualifiers.

However, despite a £10 million move to Celtic seemingly being imminent in the final days of the window, Dolberg’s head was turned by his former club Ajax.

With a return to Amsterdam the preferred move for the Denmark international, Brendan Rodgers was left scrambling for two last-minute strikers on a hectic Deadline Day.

Had surprise events elsewhere not occurred, though, things could have worked out very differently in the club’s hunt for a new number nine.

• READ MORE: Chris Sutton sums up Celtic’s transfer window perfectly

Liam Delap’s injury took Kasper Dolberg away from Celtic’s grasp

Adam Idah’s departure from Celtic has left the Hoops extremely light in forward areas – and could pave the way for the likes of Johnny Kenny to play a more important squad role than expected.

A similar situation has happened at Chelsea, albeit for different reasons. After making his move from Ipswich Town this summer, Liam Delap went off injured in his side’s win over Fulham on Saturday.

The knock-on effect of this has now impacted Celtic. Blues striker Mark Guiu was recalled from his loan to Sunderland in order to cover for Delap, creating a new gap at the north-east club.

They filled this by moving for Ajax’s Brian Brobbey, and the Dutch side’s search for a replacement led them to Dolberg.

Whilst the Celtic hierarchy’s approach of waiting until the end of the window to make such an important signing can certainly be questioned, these were certainly unforeseen circumstances.

• READ MORE: Jeff Stelling and Ally McCoist on what they heard about David Fofana to Celtic

Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic forward options now spread dangerously thin

When Celtic sold Kyogo Furuhashi in January, supporters were left baffled when a replacement was not found before the end of the window.

This led to Daizen Maeda spending more time through the middle, with Jota taking his place on the left wing.

However, with the latter sustaining an injury likely to keep him out of action for the rest of the calendar year, the Celts were left in a precarious position squad-wise.

This makes Celtic’s decision to sell Idah, again without a replacement ready, all the more perplexing. Things are now looking very desperate when it comes to Rodgers’ forward line, especially given the departure of Nicolas Kuhn earlier in the summer.

New wingers Sebastian Tounekti and Michel-Ange Balikwisha, who both favour the left side, may now have to spend time on the right given the lack of balance in Celtic’s options.