Exclusive: Celtic’s two-man January transfer plan revealed
Celtic will look to prioritise a striker and a centre-back in January following gut-wrenching long-term injuries to key players.
Despite Martin O’Neill feeling ready to extend his stay at Celtic, the club are quickly working on the next permanent manager.
Sources told Football Insider that Wilfried Nancy has emerged as the favourite for the Celtic job.
Ahead of his possible arrival in the coming weeks, the Frenchman will definitely have his eye on some new additions in the January transfer window.
Injuries to force Celtic to target a new centre-back and forward amid Hossam Essadak interest
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the Hoops are eager to strengthen across the pitch to give them the best opportunity of defending their Scottish Premiership title.
Sources told Football Insider that Celtic have joined Sunderland in the race to sign Hossam Essadak.
The Moroccan Under-20 star impressed in their recent World Cup victory, however injuries in pivotal positions for the Bhoys may force them to lessen their pursuit of the midfielder.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “I don’t think it’s [Essadak] a priority now for Celtic probably.
“If you look at their squad, probably the priority will be to bring in centre-back cover following [Cameron] Carter-Vickers’ serious injury.
“Also, probably reinforcements up front. They didn’t really bring in enough strikers in the summer window, having brought in [Kelechi] Iheanacho on a free and then now [Callum] Osmand out with a serious hamstring injury as well.
“So, they’re a bit short, probably, in those two areas of the team. So I’d imagine they’re the two priorities.”
Daizen Maeda unhappiness to further complicate Celtic’s transfer strategy in January
As the Hoops ramp up their transfer plans in anticipation of the arrival of Nancy, the Glaswegian side will also need to worry about the insecure futures of some of their brightest stars.
Former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown exclusively told Football Insider that Daizen Maeda could join a Premier League club in January.
Several English top-flight clubs are in desperate need of a dynamic pacy forward and the Japan international could fix that issue.