Celtic target Ireland defender, options to sweeten the deal for Burnley

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The Celtic Star

·1 juillet 2024

Celtic target Ireland defender, options to sweeten the deal for Burnley

Celtic have enquired about the availability of Burnley’s Irish international centre half Dara O’Shea.

Dara O’Shea reacts during the Premier League match between Burnley FC and Nottingham Forest at Turf Moor on May 19, 2024. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

That’s according to a Monday night report by Scott Burns writing on the Daily Record website.

Vidéos OneFootball

O’Shea has been at Burnley for just one season, after arriving on a £7m move from Championship side West Brom last summer. Brendan Rodgers, according to the report, has identified O’Shea as a summer signing target as he looks to overhaul his squad and strength his side in key areas.

Celtic, of course, already have a Republic of Ireland central defender in Liam Scales, who was rewarded for an excellent breakthrough season with a new, long term contract. Burnley are currently manageress after Vincent Company was appointed Bayern Munich manager and Hugh Burns reports that a Burnley source has talked down the chances of a Celtic move for the Irishman as O’Shea remains an important player for the Turf Moor outfit as they prepare for life back in the Championship.

O’Shea, who is 25, came through the ranks at West Brom before moving to Burney. He has represented Ireland 26 times and remains highly regarded, even though his side were relegated from the Premier League last season.

Celtic look set to offload £3m summer signing Gustaf Lagerbielke in the coming weeks, and there could be an option for Celtic to include him, or one of the other players surplus to requirements at Celtic, in an offer that could sweeten the deal for Burnley. Mikey Johnston is another one in that category and he is back at Celtic after a superb loan spell at West Brom, so is a known quality operator at Championship level. Perhaps he’s got something Burnley could use?