(Credit: Imago)

Evan Shaw

Sun 26 April 2026 18:00, UK

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Celtic must be prepared to immediately step up their pursuit of Lorent Tolaj if they want to land the Plymouth Argyle striker this summer.

The Bhoys have earmarked the addition of a new frontman as one of their top transfer priorities ahead of next season, as part of a wider rebuild throughout their first-team squad.

Tolaj has been identified as one candidate to potentially come in and strengthen the attacking options at Celtic Park, after an impressive campaign that has seen him notch 17 goals and seven assists in the English League One.

The 24-year-old’s electric debut campaign at third-tier level has helped to push the Pilgrims into play-off contention ahead of the final game of the season, but that has also brought growing interest in his services.

Celtic want to add Tolaj to their squad this summer, but they will need a renewed sense of urgency if they are to be successful in their bid to get a deal for him over the line.

Transfer race developing for Lorent Tolaj this summer

Football Insider revealed back in March that Plymouth were reluctant to lose Tolaj this summer, despite interest from Celtic and a whole host of other big clubs.

However, they now appear to be potentially coming round to the idea that a sale of their star man may prove to be inevitable, given the calibre of sides who have him on their radar.

Alan Nixon revealed via his Patreon account on Sunday that the Swiss frontman “may” be sold by the Devon outfit this summer, after they previously paid just £1.2million to sign him from Port Vale last year.

However, while news of the slightly softened Plymouth stance will be music to the ears of everyone at Celtic, it comes with the caveat that they are now far from alone in their pursuit of the forward.

English Championship sides Sheffield United and Preston North End are both tracking the youngster, while recently relegated Leicester City are also keen to make a move for him.

That means that Celtic will have to act quickly if they are to have any hope of winning the race for Tolaj’s signature, and they should already be putting plans in place to reach that end.

If the Bhoys were to accelerate their interest and begin genuinely exploring a deal before the end of the season, then it could give them a huge head start when the window opens.

Celtic will lose out on Tolaj if they wait for managerial appointment

Football Insider revealed earlier this week that Celtic are keen to delay their decision on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s future until they have a new manager in place, but they will not be able to do the same with Tolaj.

It is understandable that the Glasgow giants are keen to build a squad of players that suit their new boss for next term, but given the level of interest that is building in Tolaj, a quick decision will be needed.

If they try to wait until the latter stages of the summer when their new man is in and settled at the helm, then it is highly likely that Tolaj will already have been snapped up elsewhere.

Celtic may ultimately be willing to take that risk and pursue other targets if not, but equally, if they are serious about bringing Tolaj in, then they must act sooner rather than later.