6 Celtic transfer options after Brendan Rodgers 'movement' tease as Merlin lingers and Haksabanovic faces winger fight
The Hoops have brought in six players but there is scope for more to arrive.
It's been a low-key summer so far at Celtic but things might begin to pick up as the transfer window approaches its final straight.
Brendan Rodgers has often deployed the coy card on his Hoops pursuits but the cat is out the bag as far as signing number six Gustaf Lagerbielke is concerned, with the defender's £3m move from Elfsborg confirmed. But with it came a question over fellow centre-backs Liam Scales and Yuki Kobayashi, and whether there was a decision to be made after another central defender has been added to the squad.
The Irishman responded by saying "There's always decisions on players and that by the end of the month, there will be movement within the squad." Some exits like Ismaila Soro and James McCarthy are almost a given at some point in time with no Parkhead futures in sight but both in and out, who else might fall into Rodgers' movement bracket? We take a look.
Yuki Kobayashi
The winter import from Vissel Kobe has had first team chances but has so far failed to set the heather alight with his displays. Initially catching the eye with a good vision of passing, he appears to have fallen down the pecking order even with Carl Starfelt's exit.
Cameron Carter-Vickers, Maik Nawrocki and Stephen Welsh have been used so far and now Gustaf Lagerbielke has arrived. That leaves him fighting for fifth spot with Liam Scales should the new Swede be preferred and while a permanent exit isn't likely, a loan for more experience could be in order.
Sead Haksabanovic
It's been claimed that Rodgers is looking to sign a winger to replace Jota, who's headed for the Saudi Pro League. But even though there is perhaps a star man lacking in that area, Celtic do still have Liel Abada, Yang Hyun-jun, Marco Tilio, James Forrest and Daizen Maeda who can all operate in that area.
Abada is a target for a new deal, Maeda has already signed one, Forrest is the stalwart and two are new recruits. Throw in another new face and where does that leave the former West Ham man? He impressed in the first half of last season but overall grabbed just five goals and two assists from 22 league games.
Albian Ajeti
Part of the bomb squad with the likes of McCarthy and Soro, Ajeti doesn't have much of a future in Glasgow. He's behind Kyogo and Oh and has been nowhere to be seen following a loan spell at Sturm Graz.
The problem appears to be actually shifting him off the wage book. Few rumours have been forthcoming on taking the Swiss international away and Basel talk has faded into the background, and he still has a year left of the deal he signed in 2020. Could he ride that out?
Benjamin Siegrist
The Swiss goalkeeper made his name as one of the best in the SPFL at Dundee United and some raised eyebrows at his decision to serve as deputy to Joe Hart. But he has provided solid cover for the former England international when required but rumours have suggested he is one considering his options.
Scott Bain is already at the club and has worked as a back-up goalie with Rodgers before. And rumours that a new shot-stopper could be signed all buy into the notion there may be some movement in this department.
Quentin Merlin
Plenty of talk have arisen around Celtic in particular over the last week. Much of it has been surrounding Premier League men in Eric Dier, Kieran Tierney, Michael Antonio, James McAtee and Tommy Doyle. Chat over Ryan Fraser and Daniel Podence has been played down.
Where talk continues to be rife is around Nantes left-back Merlin. At £7m, he would be an expensive signing but Rodgers has spent big before in Glasgow with the likes of Odsonne Edouard. Bringing Merlin in too would also likely pose another question in the left-back area, with Greg Taylor and Alexandro Bernabei already there.
New winger
Podence or Fraser may have entered this area but continuous talk of a wideman has bought into the claims that Rodgers is eyeing one. Jota brought flair and magic on the flanks during his two years in Glasgow and it will be hard to find a like-for-like replacement.
Hyun-jun and Tilio may have arrived, but some fans are craving a bigger name like Podence to come in and wrestle for their departed hero's spot. But Rodgers has already ruled out a marquee move in the £15m bracket, with the Wolves man quoted at £12m.