Celtic have designs on breaking the glass ceiling in the Champions League next term and could now launch a move for a powerful enforcer to help their bid, according to a report.
Celtic’s summer window and where they need to strengthen
The Bhoys are currently taking stock before deciding where to prioritise in the market safe in the knowledge that Kieran Tierney and Ross Doohan will arrive on free transfers from Arsenal and Aberdeen, respectively.
While the homecoming of the former will be widely celebrated by supporters, Chris Sutton believes time is ticking for Celtic and indicated three bodies are needed to supplement the reigning Scottish champions’ squad between now and the Champions League qualifiers.
He explained: “In an ideal world you’d have two or three new faces reporting for the first day of pre-season, giving them time to bed in ahead of the new campaign and the crucial Champions League qualifiers.
“The transfer market doesn’t always work that way but they will need to move quickly to bring in at the very least three new players.”
Adding another attacking option appears to be their main priority at the moment, and the notion of a sensational Celtic reunion with Kyogo Furuhashi is alive as he is set to be left out of Rennes’ pre-season plans by Habib Beye.
Related
Celtic braced for lowball £8.5m bid as Spurs could hijack forward deal
The Bhoys are fielding interest for star players…
Peterborough United’s Harley Mills has been approached by the Bhoys and could add some support behind Tierney at left-back, though the two positions mentioned aren’t the only areas Rodgers may look to bolster during the window.
Taking things up a notch, Celtic have now made contact to sign a midfielder who could add some bite in the engine room if recent developments were to escalate.
Per A Bola, Celtic have initiated contact over a potential deal for Turkish defensive midfielder Demir Tiknaz, who spent the campaign gone on loan at Rio Ave from parent club Besiktas.
Intriguingly, the Primeira Liga side are expected to trigger a release clause option to sign the Istanbul-born man for £4.2 million. Then, they will aim to double their money with a quickfire sale at around the £8.4 million mark.
|
Demir Tiknaz at Rio Ave in 2024/25 – why do Celtic want to sign him? (Fotmob) |
|
|
Tackles won |
37 |
|
Pass completion |
85.9% |
|
Duels won |
121 |
|
Chances created |
16 |
|
Aerial duels won |
25 |
Standing at 6 foot 4 he is currently on duty with the Turkish national team and would add some much-needed steel into an engine room made up primarily of technicians.
Callum McGregor isn’t getting any younger and the lack of a deeper like-for-like alternative to the Bhoys’ club captain could now be resolved if negotiations were to accelerate.
Ligue 1 outfit LOSC Lille are also keen on Tiknaz and will provide stiff competition for his signature, though the carrot of Champions League football at Celtic is something worth dangling for intended targets.
