Celtic have made a winger their top-priority ahead of the January transfer window opening next Wednesday, according to a new report…
According to David Friel writing in Scottish Sun, Celtic have identified the attacking wide area as a position of much-needed strengthening — and with the winter window officially opening in less than a weeks’ time, talks have already begun on who Celtic will bring in.
Boss Brendan Rodgers and Celtic’s largest shareholder Dermot Desmond along with CEO Michael Nicholson and Chief Financial Officer Chris Mackay met in Dublin last week to discuss all things transfers along with rumoured contract extensions for the manager.
Injury issues on Celtic’s right wing
With Hoops legend James Forrest out of action for six weeks, and Nicolas Kuhn’s reoccurring knee issue, Celtic are extremely light on the right-hand side in the attacking area of the pitch.
Luis Palma and Yang Hyun-jun have proven unreliable stand-ins and clearly lack the quality as evidenced by the duo’s underwhelming performances at Tannadice on Sunday in Celtic’s disappointing 0-0 draw with Dundee United.
Over the past two windows the Scottish champions have been linked with Royal Antwerp winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Union Saint-Gilloise attacker Mohammed Fuseini, but no concrete bids or negotiations have taken place.
Meanwhile, the Hoops are continuing their search for a new left-back. As reported by MailOnline last week, Brendan Rodgers is eyeing a reunion with Kieran Tierney in January. With Greg Taylor free to talk to any clubs in January, and Alex Valle returning to Barcelona in the summer, left-back also will become a priority for the Scottish champions in the upcoming window.
The departure of Alexandro Bernabei for a significant fee of £7 million could accelerate a deal for Tierney’s sensational homecoming.
With MLS club Atlanta Utd eyeing a £10 million bid for Kyogo Furuhashi coupled with Johnny Kenny making a return from a successful loan spell at Shamrock Rovers, there may be a discussion and speculation over whether Celtic sign a new striker or wait until the summer to conclude their business at the very top of the field.
Either way, the transfer window is just around the corner and rumours are rife. What is clear though is Celtic need a winger which is why Rodgers and co have made it a top priority over the next month.
Conor Spence
Celtic in the Thirties
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Another wide option was always going to be on our agenda for January, especially with the lack of game time for Palma, and not able to even make our match day squad?
However, until we find out the extent of the kuhn potential injury, then our wider options are fairly muddled at present?
Our 3 available wide options at present, all seem to operate better on our left side, including yang.
So could it become a case for Maeda having to take up the wide right position, for the time being?
That would leave yang to go on the outside and Palma on the inside of the defender, depending upon who they are facing?
Still believe that valle would be a better support player for either yang or Palma on our left, moreso than what Taylor offers in the inverted role imo?
Hopefully the injury to kuhn isn’t too serious, especially as this congested period of fixtures, will be challenging enough, with injuries as they are, without any more being added?