Anderlecht make Kasper Dolberg decision as Celtic step up transfer pursuit
Celtic are in pole position to sign Anderlecht striker Kasper Dolberg after the Belgian club made a decision about his future.
The Hoops are pushing to sign a striker with Adam Idah close to joining Swansea, and attacking reinforcements needed for Brendan Rodgers.
Rodgers signed Royal Antwerp winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha earlier this week following their Champions League exit to Kairat Almaty, but their attacking flaws were still on show in a 0-0 draw against Glasgow rivals Rangers.
Idah was not in the squad at Ibrox, and Rodgers did not trust Johnny Kenny or Shin Yamada to start up-front meaning winger Daizen Maeda played in the role.
Kasper Dolberg not involved in latest Anderlecht fixture
As per Anthony Joseph on X [31 August], Dolberg has been left out of Anderlecht’s match against USG, with Celtic “making continued progress in talks.”
Dolberg has scored five goals in eight games for Anderlecht this season, but the 27-year-old wants to leave amid the club’s failure to qualify for the Europa Conference League.
With the transfer window shutting in Scotland at 11PM tomorrow [September 1st], Celtic need to move quickly to get a deal across the line.
Celtic could have busy deadline day
Football Insider Verdict
Dolberg would be a welcome addition to the Celtic squad, which was in need of a natural number nine against Rangers.
Celtic did not have a player to hold the ball up and bring others into play and Maeda struggled as a lone striker.
Despite their quality in other areas, Celtic cannot continue in the league without a proven finisher, so finalising a deal for Dolberg in the final 24 hours of the window seems pivotal.
Dolberg has already been in fine form for Anderlecht this season and has good records scoring in the Netherlands and France previously.
| Kasper Dolberg | Stats |
| Appearances | 346 |
| Goals | 123 |
| Assists | 32 |
Rodgers could do with more creativity and options in forward areas which could see more than just Dolberg brought in on transfer deadline day.
Many Celtic fans will say the investment is too late though following their failure to advance in the Champions League, but the Europa League still leaves the Hoops with European football to compete in.