As Celtic’s transfer activity gathers some momentum Stephen McGowan has named left-back as a priority position for strengthening.
Last week the Daily Mail reporter broke the news of Celtic’s interest in signing Luis Palma with the Honduran signing a five year contract last night..
Loan deals to sign Nat Phillips from Liverpool and Paolo Bernardo from Benfica appear to be well underway but with two days of business remaining Celtic fans are expecting further additions.
Later today the draw will be made for the group stage of the Champions League with Brendan Rodgers admitting last week that his squad isn’t as strong as last season’s.
Updating the state of play last night, the Daily Mail reported:
CELTIC have confirmed the arrival of Honduran international winger Luis Palma in a £3.5million deal.
And Liverpool central defender Nat Phillips has also arrived in Glasgow to wrap up a one-year loan deal.
The champions also want to add Benfica’s Portuguese midfielder Paulo Bernardo and a new left-back before the window closes at midnight on Friday.
The report concludes with:
Left-back remains a priority heading into the final hours of the window, with Celtic also repelling late interest from Leeds United for midfielder Matt O’Riley.
Albian Ajeti, Ismael Soro and Rocco Vata look more likely to leave before the deadline. Hopeful of heading out in search of first-team football, goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist is now expected to stay put.
Celtic are also hopeful of extending the contracts of Israeli winger Liel Abada and Japanese midfielder Reo Hatate. Despite reports of an agreement with Abada, Mail Sport understands one or two hurdles have yet to be overcome. Hatate has put further discussions over his own situation on hold until the window closes.
That seems very specific that left-back is a priority area for Mark Lawwell’s Recruitment Team with the Kieran Tierney rumour finally over.
Greg Taylor has started all four matches so far this season but if the report is accurate Rodgers is looking for an upgrade on the former Kilmarnock man with Alexandro Bernabei not a contender.
I would certainly hope we do seek better quality at LB and continue to look to improve on ALL areas of the side ahead of the next window.
BR will improve some players, but he isn’t a miracle worker.
With something like 12 x players moved he has done well but with the likes of Sieghirst, McCarthy, MJ, Scales, Welsh, Bain, Bernbei is shows the true strength of the squad he inherited from Ange.