Celtic’s incoming transfer business may not be over yet, with Daily Record reporting Celtic’s ‘priorities may have shifted’ and that a left back being signed prior to tonight’s midnight transfer window closing may be a possibility.
Spurs Ryan Sessegnon is one being linked with a deadline day loan switch to Celtic, as is Lee Buchanan from Derby County, with that one more likely a permanent arrangement.
‘Celtic are thinking of singing a left-back before close of business tonight. The Parkhead club were only really expected to announce some departures today with Ange Postecoglou admitting over the weekend new arrivals were unlikely.
But their priorities may have shifted and the possibility of getting one more in is still on. Lee Buchanan of Derby has been a target since the summer with the Championship club struggling financially but Wayne Rooney guaranteed fans last night no players would leave today.
Ryan Sessegnon of Spurs too has been a consistent link for several windows.’
Sessegnon is a versatile player who can operate as a left sided attacker or as a left back and has previously been linked with a loan move to Celtic in September 2020, with Skysports at the time reporting Celtic had gone as far making an approach before the deal simply got too rich for Celtic.
It’s difficult to see what would have changed in terms of those financial constraints just over a year on from that initial approach, however the player himself will be keen to get first team football with chances likely to limited under Antonio Conte, a manager very much with a defensive outlook to his style of play.
This one seems a longshot to say the least, however with Kieran Devlin of the Athletic stating he was briefed Celtic were not looking at incoming transfers unless a ‘big opportunity’ arose then you could say a deadline move for Ryan Sessegnon would certainly fit the bill.
Buchanan is highly rated at Derby, has played 16 times this season, and 60 times overall, despite only being 20 years old, and Rams manager Wayne Rooney had been quoted that interest had indeed resulted in bids from clubs, but not yet to the satisfaction of the club. Rooney however is convinced he’s had assurances that no players have to leave the club today.
With Derby in serious danger of liquidation after entering administration, and requiring to resolve their massive £29million debt with HMRC, this one may be more achievable for Celtic and probably fits Celtic’s business model more than a short-term loan deal for Sessegnon.
Buchannan is in the last six months of his current deal, and although Derby do have the option of an extra year, their current financial predicament means an extension is an impossibility at this stage.
Niall J
