Celtic set sights on Jake Clarke-Salter as Rodgers priority revealed – sources
Celtic are plotting a summer swoop for Queens Park Rangers defender Jake Clarke-Salter, sources have told Football Insider.
The 26-year-old centre-back has caught the eye of the Glasgow giants with his performances for QPR in the Championship.
Celtic are eyeing central defensive reinforcements in the summer window with Brendan Rodgers prioritising that area of his team for improvement.
The Hoops signed Maik Nawrocki last summer (2023) for a reported £4.3million last summer but he is yet to break through as a first-choice option for Rodgers.
Liam Scales and Stephen Welsh have often played alongside top asset Cameron Carter-Vickers this term but Celtic are eyeing an upgrade this summer.
Celtic set sights on move for ex-Chelsea defender Clarke-Salter this summer
Clarke-Salter has made 29 total appearances for QPR in the 2023-24 campaign, starting in 25 of those outings.
The former Chelsea youngster has started each of the last 19 Championship games for the London side.
He has helped Marti Cifuentes’ side pull clear of the battle against relegation to League One after finding himself out of favour earlier this term under Gareth Ainsworth.
Clarke-Salter, who won the Under-20 World Cup with England as a youth, joined QPR from Chelsea on a free transfer in 2022.
His first move away from the Blues, where he came through the academy, came after loans at Coventry, Birmingham, Vitesse, Sunderland and Bristol Rovers.
He has racked up 114 appearances at Championship level but Celtic are now keen to bring him to Scotland with a view to also playing him in the Champions League next season.
The Hoops sit top of the Scottish Premiership but have played a game more than rivals Rangers ahead of their crucial Old Firm clash on Sunday (7 April).
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