Celtic need a new striker this summer to compete with Daizen Maeda and Adam Idah.
Idah himself understands the Hoops will likely recruit a new frontman, so it’s just a matter of waiting for the fans to see who comes in.
David Strelec could join from Slovan Bratislava, but it’s unlikely Brondby’s Mathias Kvistgaarden will sign given interest from West Ham United and Eintracht Frankfurt.
Youssef El Kachati has been the other name linked with Celtic after the Telstar striker fired his team into the Eredivisie following a promotion play-off triumph.
The Moroccan confirmed he will make a ‘fantastic’ summer transfer, but sadly that won’t be to Celtic.
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El Kachati chooses to sign for NEC Nijmegen
According to ESPN.nl, El Kachati will move from Telstar to NEC Nijmegen on a three-year contract after a verbal agreement had been reached.
They state the 25-year-old wanted to wait until after the play-offs to decide his next club and in the end, he has chosen NEC, who also play in the Eredivisie.
Celtic were linked of course, as were German sides Hannover 96 and Schalke 04. ESPN.nl now say only a failed medical would scupper the switch from Telstar to NEC.
All in all, El Kachati was a fantastic servant for Telstar, making 67 appearances and scoring 31 goals in the process.
Celtic’s search for a new striker goes on
That’s one striker link in the bin, but it makes you wonder whether Celtic were really pursuing El Kachati if he has chosen to sign for NEC Nijmegen.
The Hoops would offer a far better wage and are just a two-legged play-off tie away from reaching the Champions League league phase for a second season in a row.
El Kachati also appeared to have turned down a move to Schalke 04, a massive club in Germany albeit a team who are struggling in 2. Bundesliga.
NEC finished 8th in the Eredivisie last season and will not play in European football next campaign.
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