10 bold Celtic transfers to trigger a record-breaking summer as Kvistgaarden and quintet of wingers lead the way
The Scottish champions are set to spend big again this summer in what could be Brendan Rodgers' final season
Brendan Rodgers is set to be bankrolled with another eye-watering transfer kitty this summer as Celtic prepare to splash the cash.
Record Sport's ITK Scott Burns revealed on Tuesday that the champions are ready to shatter their transfer record if the right player comes up.
The Hoops forked out £11million to land Arne Engels from Augsburg last August and are poised to break that again in their quest for five-in-a-row.
Parkhead chiefs are hell-bent on backing Double-winning Rodgers to the hilt in what could be his last season in Glasgow.
Rodgers was handed a jaw-dropping £40m warchest in 2024/25, shelling out on lucrative deals for Engels, Adam Idah, Auston Trusty and Jota.
The jury remains out on some of those marquee arrivals, but with a two-legged Champions League playoff to navigate this season, Celtic know they'll have to open the chequebook again.
Here, Record Sport looks at 10 potential money-spinning targets that could take Celtic to the next level.
Mathias Kvistgaarden
The name that just won't go away. Ask most Celtic fans, and the new Denmark call-up would top their wishlist. Kvistgaarden ended the season with 23 goals for Brondby and supporters are already resigned to losing their homegrown hero this summer. The 23-year-old is hot property though and a bidding war could see his asking price soar beyond his current £11m valuation. A long-term target for Rodgers, the hottest talent in the Danish Superliga could be Celtic's box-office signing.
David Strelec
It's understood the Slovakian hitman was the subject of a £7.5m offer from the Hoops in January. Celtic, of course, know all about the Slovan Bratislava star as he played in the 5-1 Champions League drubbing at Parkhead last September.
Strelec wrapped up the campaign with 25 goals to his name but his representative confirmed this week that there is currently no concrete offer on the table from the Scottish champions.
Michel-Ange Balikwisha
Flying machine Balikwisha is another player who Celtic have been keeping tabs on for months. The 23-year-old's season was ruined by injuries but he returned to full fitness in March, contributing four goals and three assists in just 10 appearances. Out-of-contract next year at Royal Antwerp, the Belgium Under-21 cap looks certain to move on this summer. Balikwisha confirmed the Glasgow giants had made offers for him this season but said: “Celtic’s interest was concrete, but I chose to stay. Leaving with an injury was not ideal. I’d rather take good care of myself so I could be ready for the play-offs with Antwerp. We’ll see in the summer transfer window."
Raul Moro
Another wideman who fits the bill is Real Valladolid's star man. Moro was at the centre of a transfer tug-of-war in January as the Hoops and Ajax both expressed an interest in the £8.5m-rated Spain Under-21 cap. But the 22-year-old - who arrived in a bargain £2m deal from Lazio last summer - was left devastated as a fractured collarbone scuppered his chances of a move.
Despite being tipped for months on the sidelines, Moro made a quick recovery, missing only four La Liga games. And after Valladolid - owned by Real Madrid legend Ronaldo - suffered relegation, prized asset Moro will likely be flogged.
Sondre Ørjasæter
Highly-rated Norweigan starlet Ørjasæter has been touted for a huge future in the game. And multiple reports claimed the Parkhead club had a £4.3m bid knocked back in January. The left-sided winger has lit up the Eliteserien since joining Sarpsborg 08 last year, registering an impressive 17 goal contributions in just 40 games. Asked directly about links to Celtic, Ørjasæter, admitted in February: "Of course it's cool that big clubs are interested. But I don't want to comment on rumours. Doesn't affect me at all. I just try to relax, train well every day and have fun with the guys on the team." It's believed the 21-year-old would command a fee upwards of £7m.
Million Manhoef
Stoke City's pace merchant is said to feature on Celtic's long list of attacking targets. The Netherlands youth international has been one of the standouts in his first full season in the EFL Championship. Since arriving in a £3m switch from Vitesse, the 23-year-old has 11 goals and five assists for the Potters. And that's seen his stock explode, with a £10m price tag rumoured to be slapped on his head. A previous target for Rangers, Stoke are braced for serious interest and Celts could knock at the door.
Lennon Miller
Teenage sensation Miller, 18, is destined for bigger and better things after a stunning breakthrough at Motherwell. The uncapped Scot - voted PFA and SFWA Player of the Year - is out of contract next summer and Well are resigned to losing their academy starlet.
It was suggested that Celtic had a bid rejected in January but with German heavyweights Borussia Dortmund and French Ligue 1 side Star sniffing around, the Steelmen are guaranteed to pocket a club record fee that would eclipse David Turnbull's £3.25m switch to Parkhead in 2020.
Veljko Milosavljevic
Despite spending millions on Trusty, Maik Nawrocki and Gustaf Lagerbielke, Rodgers has yet to find a reliable partner for first-choice stopper Cameron Carter-Vickers. But wonderkid Milosavljevic could be the answer. Reports emerging from Serbia claim the Hoops have seen a first bid for the 17-year-old rejected by Red Star Belgrade - falling way short of the £8.4m asking price. The towering defender has also been scouted by Champions League finalists PSG and English Premier League outfit Everton.
Keita Kosugi
In-demand Japanese defender Kosugi has been heavily linked with Celtic. Japanese sources claim the Djurgarden teen, 19, is at the centre of a three-way battle between the Scottish Double winners, French moneybags PSG and Italian powerhouses Atalanta. Kosugi - who is an U20 international - has been an ever-present for the Swedes in their 10 league games so far and also started both Europa Conference League semi-final legs against Chelsea. The versatile left-back - who can also play central or on the right - would be viewed as a perfect understudy to incoming Kieran Tierney, with Greg Taylor yet to sign a new deal.
Oskar Fallenius
Kosugi isn't the only Djurgarden youngster attracting Celtic's interest, with reports in Sweden claiming speed demon Fallenius is also on the radar. And if the rumours are to be believed, then the Double winners could also face competition from Glasgow rivals Rangers. The former Brondby kid has caught the eye in Allsvenskan and has taken his game to another level since switching from right to left wing in his major breakthrough season. He would be regarded as one for the future.
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