Transfer window countdown- what’s the latest on these targets and rumours?
With Scott Sinclair and Kolo Toure now removed from his list it’s time to have a look at who else is on Brendan Rodgers transfer list.
After losing to Barcelona the Celtic boss suggested that in an ideal world he’d like to bring in four new signings, post Sinclair and Hearts the list had dropped down to two.
With James Forrest and Tom Rogic signed onto new deals it looks more likely that Stefan Johansen is heading out the door with no word on a new deal for the Norwegian midfielder.
Earlier today ‘transfer target’ Paddy McNair joined Sunderland from Manchester United on the sort of terms that would give a former city trader sleepless nights as he rummages around the bargain basement for starlets and ageing stars.
There is still more than two weeks remaining of the transfer window, it’s likely that there will be more players moving out than in with the only criteria being that they are starters- just like Sinclair, Toure and Moussa Dembele.
Despite the amount of midfielders that he has inherited it seems that Rodgers would like to add one of his own, with Craig Gordon looking vulnerable another keeper is also likely to figure high on Rodgers wish list.
A pattern is emerging of Rodgers signing players that he has worked with previously, CLICK HERE to view the transfer gallery for the latest news and rumours about who’s on their way to join the hoops.
Dorus de Vries
The Nottingham Forest keeper emerged this morning as a signing target- definitely one from deep within Brendan’s contact book from Swansea days.
Much more likely to be viewed as a back up to Craig Gordon rather than a competitor- fulfilling much the same role as the currently injured Logan Bailly.
After helping Swansea to promotion he was replaced by Michel Vorm who funnily enough also fits into this yarn.
Since leaving Swansea de Vries, who played against Celtic in the 2007 Scottish Cup Final for Dunfermline, has served as back-up at Wolves before making 48 appearances last season at Forest.
MICHEL VORM
The big question is over how much ambition does Vorm have? Is he happy to get two appearances a season at Spurs on big money or does he want to be in at the sharp end every week.
Once Swansea reached the Premier League Rodgers didn’t blink over bringing in Vorm from Utrecht, that decision was quickly justified with Vorm perfectly at home in the Premier League.
A £3.5m move to Spurs in 2014 put his career on hold but at 32 years of age he could have another five years at the top level.
Having watched the start that Scott Sinclair has made to his Celtic career an offer to rejoin Rodgers must be very tempting, if Vorm comes to Celtic it won’t be to play back up to Craig Gordon.
FABIO BORINI
When his name was first linked with Celtic it brought some gasps- surely we weren’t interested in the single figure striker?
A quick check through his Wiki however and a theme starts to emerge, very much someone in Brendan’s big book of contacts.
In 2007 he was at Chelsea working with the Irishman who also took him to Swansea on loan. As manager of Liverpool Rodgers spent £10m signing the striker from Roma but at Anfield and Sunderland Borini has failed to make a serious dent on the scoring charts.
Never say never, could they link up for a fourth time?
PATRICK BAMFORD
It seems that Chelsea just don’t want to say good-bye with reports that they turned down a £3m offer from Wigan in preference to sending the striker out on loan again.
Last season the 22-year-old spent time at Crystal Palace and Norwich City without making anything like the impression he did the previous season at Middlesbrough.
With Leigh Griffiths and Moussa Dembele as his first choice strikers it’s hard to see Bamford getting a regular game which is likely to be one of Chelsea’s loan requirements.
With silly money, and sillier transfers now the norm across England could Joe Ledley be tempted back to Celtic from the Crystal Palace wilderness?
The midfielder left for London in January 2014, the same transfer window that brought Stefan Johansen to Glasgow..
After helping Tony Pullis perform the great escape Ledley has dropped down Alan Pardew’s pecking order and isn’t likely to feature much in the season ahead.
Aston Villa are reportedly looking at the 29-year-old but with the wage cap loosened to bring in Rodgers three signings to date a deal could be struck to bring the Welsh internationalist back to Celtic.
Unlike others he never seemed to be in a rush to leave Celtic, the chance to work with Rodgers, resume the medal collection and play in Europe could prove very tempting.