State of Play in the Celtic Summer Transfer Window, with over 40 players already linked

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The Celtic Star

·30 de junho de 2024

State of Play in the Celtic Summer Transfer Window, with over 40 players already linked

Today is 30 June. The transfer window has been open for 16 days now and we’ve not signed one player. Is this acceptable? Not according to the negativity mob.

According to some posts on various sites, it’s going to be another barren summer with second rate unwanted players coming to the club along with the usual ‘project’ signings that will be lucky to play a league cup match against somebody like Annan Athletic.

The Celtic Star is not the worst for unfounded rumours but there are some that just write anything that comes into their head. I actually came across one on You Tube tonight that said we were singing Saka from Arsenal…..how ludicrous is that?

Vídeos OneFootball

I’ve been noting all the players mentioned since the Monday following cup final and at this point I have 44 players mentioned with Celtic.

Potential signings

Idah (Norwich City) Bernardo (Benfica) Byinder (Man Utd) GK McCarthy (Sunderland) GK Kelleher (Liverpool) GK Casteels (Wolfsburg) GK Amartey (Beşiktaş) DM Miovski (Aberdeen) CF Shankland (Hearts) CF Phillips (Man City) DM Kvistgaarden (Brøndby) CF Ndidi (Leicester City) RF Tierney (Arsenal) LB Beck (Liverpool) LB O’Hare (Coventry) CM Clarke Salter (QPR) CB Sinisolo (Aston Villa) GK Ajer (Brentford) CB Lyanco (Southamton) CB Azarovi (Shakhtar Donetsk) LB Edouard (Crystal Palace) CF McCowan (Dundee) CM Lunin (Real Madrid) GK Christie (Bournemouth) CM Miller (Motherwell) CM Mepham (Bournemouth) CB Jensen (Sparta Prague) GK Sanches (Lausanne) RF De Gea (free agent) GK Szmodics (Blackburn) CF Armstrong (Southampton) CM Jota (Al Ittihad) RF Montaño (Mazatlán FC) CM Dubravka (Newcastle) GK Livakovic (Fenherbace) GK Starfelt (Celta Vigo) CB Kryskiv (Shakhtar Donetsk) CM Peretz (Bayern Munich) GK Bair (Motherwell) CF Travers (Bournemouth) GK Dahbo (BK Häcken) CM Begovic (free agent) GK Conway (Bristol City) CF

Joao Neves Filipe Jota celebrates during the Scottish Premiership match between Kilmarnock and Celtic at on August 14, 2022 . (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Most of these are complete dross…ie Phillips??? but I’m sure there will be a select few from the list that have at least had a chat with our manager or board members about joining club.

Of the 43 mentioned, there are some who, because they are ex-players, just get the usual 2+2=5 nonsense even when it’s clear that they’re either totally unavailable or just uninterested in coming back because they can earn so much more where they are.

There are others that just warrant a mention because they are available and others who are just being touted by agents trying to up the ante for wages and transfer fees. Of the 43 mentioned above, there are a few who I think could be on our club’s radar and are realistic targets.

The first two on that category are definites because the manager has told us that.

Idah and Bernardo have already been in the team and I personally would love to see both at club permanantly. If we are serious about signing ‘quality’ I would like to see the following players at club come the first note of the Champions League anthem being played on the opening night. They are….

Brendan Rodgers, Manager of Celtic, greets fans as he steps off the coach prior to the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Rangers FC at Celtic Park Stadium on May 11, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Livakovic, Begovic or Lunin or maybe even two of them because I think we need to sign two keepers.

: Dominik Livakovic of Croatia applauds the fans after the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group D match between Turkey and Croatia at Bursa Buyuksehir Belediye Stadyumu on March 28, 2023 in Bursa, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)

In defence I would like to see KT return but after getting injured again, I can’t see that happening unless it’s a loan to buy deal. Realistically, I think Mepham from Bournemouth and Scott Mckenna are good shouts and the boy Beck from Liverpool who I believe we did enquire about at Christmas.

The midfield is strong but we could lose one or two I think. I think O’Riley is working his ticket but I’d like to see him stay at least until January to see what he can do in Europe. If he does stay, I would like one central player with a bit of strength and aggression and Bernardo coming in. So with the names mentioned I think the boy Amarty who worked under Brendan at Leicester could be a good addition. If O’Riley goes I think Bernardo could be a straight replacement but I would also like to think there could be another added also.

Aberdeen v Dundee Cinch Scottish Premiership 30-01-2024. Bojan Miovski 9 of Aberdeen during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Aberdeen and Dundee at Pittodrie on 30 January 2024. Photo Stephen Dobson PSI

Up front I would sign at least two, possibly three. A couple of middle men to challenge or take Kyogo’s mantle and my first two choices would be Idah and Miovskii. I think another quality winger should be looked at but I’m still hoping we see the best Kuhn and Palma this season. However one guy who could be realistic is Lukas Hiraslin, the Slovakian who’s been immense at Euro 2024 and plays in Prague for Sparta. I think he could be a great addition who definitely has the quality we require. Mikey Johnston has proved that he can cut it in the Championship in England so I would accept an offer for him because as much as I don’t deny his ability, I just think it would be best for both parties.

Obviously my opinion is completely irrelevant but like every other supporter, I would love a crack at this new Champions League format. Winning it is completely out of the question but with the right investment, I think Brendan Rodgers could take us into last 16 or possibly even last 8…..IF we spend!!

That’s the big million dollar question on everybody’s lips but after hearing John Kennedy speak on Friday, I think there will be a considerable investment on players this year. Yes, they’re taking their time but remember a lot of players are still on holiday or playing at Euro 2024 so please be a bit more patient.

So it’s wee bit early for Santa but he did show up in May to help us out so who knows. Anyway that’s my list for him.

GK x 2 CB x 1 LB x 1 CM x 1 or 2 depending on MOR CF x 2 RF x 1

That’s 8 in total but remember two of these were in our team already and we’ve lost two keepers for different reasons. Haksa has gone and I fully expect at least another three to follow. Namely Mikey J Gustav L and Oh and most likely an O’Riley or Hatate.

On top of our shopping list I fully expect another couple of projects and there’s one name in particular who could be a project that would slot right in to midfield. Motherwell’s Lennon Miller looks like he has a big future and a signing with option to loan back would be a great move for us and him I think.

So that’s my list

Livkovic £5-10m Begovic free Tierney or Beck (loan to buy) Mepham £7m Miller £3m with add ons Amaty £5m Bernardo £6m Idah £8m Mijovski £5m Hiraslin £5m

OK over £40M is a bit of an ask bur if MO, MJ and Oh are off that would almost be money back with Champions League money still profit. It ain’t out of question for us to spend that kind of dough but some will say it’s extremely unlikely. Me????……I’ll just wait and see what happens.

In Brendan we trust

Celtic FC

A CLUB LIKE NO OTHER

Ross McAllister