Celtic are reported to be very close to signing Odin Thiago Holm from Norwegian club Valerenga.
The Norwegian report names a fee of around £2.5m for the midfielder and claims that a move is imminent.
Incoming transfer activity has almost been forgotten about as Celtic search for a manager, any deal that is imminent raises questions about who is driving the move forward- was it an Ange Postecoglou initiative or did it come from the clubs’ scouting and recruitment departments.
Ironically Kris Ajer was Celtic’s last Norwegian signing and arrived in similar circumstances, signing under Ronny Deila outside a transfer window then flourishing under Brendan Rodgers who converted the teenage midfielder into a central defender.
Just after 9am this morning Norwegian website Nettavisen reported:
Valerenga is in negotiations with Celtic about a transfer for the talented midfielder, according to what Nettavisen learns.
The Oslo club, which is struggling heavily in the Eliteserien, is now negotiating with the Scottish big club to reach an agreement on the details of an agreement, after the Glasgow club has made a bid for the 20-year-old.
Sources Nettavisen has been in contact with confirm that the parties are in talks and negotiating with each other. If nothing unforeseen happens, Thiago Holm could thus disappear from the club within a short time.
Sports director Joacim Jonsson in Valerenga has not answered Nettavisen’s inquiries on Monday.
The young Tronder has been involved in all the matches for VIF this season. Against Stromsgodset on Sunday, he was taken off the field halfway through the match.Â
Valerenga suffered a heavy 0-1 defeat at home against the Drammen and are now in 13th place in the Eliteserien, one point above the qualification place after a third of the season.
Last winter, Danish FC Copenhagen tried to secure Thiago Holm for just over NOK 30 million shortly before the transfer window closed, but he then remained at the Oslo club.
The bid from Celtic must be in the same order of magnitude, but VIF will possibly secure a larger resale percentage if they fully agree with Celtic. The clubs have not fully agreed on an agreement, but there must be positive dialogue between the clubs, according to Nettavisen’s information.
Now VIF’s midfield jewel is more than ready to leave the club according to Nettavisen’s understanding, and a move to Scotland could be imminent if the parties agree.
Progress on this move would lend credibility to Celtic being interested in bringing in Kjetil Knutsen from Bogo Glimt as manager but there has been no news out of the club since last Tuesday’s confirmation that Postecoglou had left to manage Spurs.
CLICK HERE for Holm’s Transfermarkt profile.
On whose authority will Celtic potentially sign young Mr Holm ? Has the new manager been selected but kept on the QT until it’s convenient to introduce him ? If not that ,then what if the guy gets signed for the reported £2.5 million and the new boss doesn’t rate him – what happens next as it’s a chunk of change to splash out on an unwanted player from the beginning ? That was one thing about Ange’s tenure as coach , everything was done in an ultra professional manner and style … Nothing left to chance ! What ‘s the craic Mr Lawwell ?
The craic is……..Daddy’s back in the building !!!
I wonder if anyone agrees with me in saying I hope Spurs take Hatate, in fact I would drive him there myself. I have been watching him in particular and in the last game his last 6 passes failed to complete. I have never seen anyone give the ball away as much as he does. Of course occasionally he will come up with a defense splitting pass and then all is forgotten.
Think you are watching too closely. I don’t agree with that at all.
The next most exciting thing in football to a skilful winger in full flow is a talented mid-field player and Hatate is certainly that!
Celtic didn’t win the Treble in season 2022/23 because Hatate is a bad mid-fielder.
They won it because Ange is a successful football manager and the players he brought in were one hundred per cent successful and comfortable with the way he likes to play.
I think that must be your tongue that is stuck so obviously in your cheek!
” … Or Did It Come From The Clubs’ Scouting And Recruitment Departments.”
At’s a good one Joe. I swear I never saw you smiling as you said that!
Why would Celtic pay £2.5M for a mid-fielder?
Are they going to sell someone? Hatate or O’reilly maybe?
Or maybe the’re looking for another warmer i.e a “Benchwarmer”?
People generally pay the money after they’ve made a decision – not before!
But their you go! We live in strange times!