Unlike most clubs across Europe, Celtic are neither in desperate need of a forward nor are they in a breath-taking race for either title or relegation. Hence, when they are this active in the transfer window, it could only mean that Brendan Rodgers is already planning for the next season.
They are already league winners, sitting at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a 21-point lead are probably planning for a domestic treble. With little to no injuries in the squad and all the players in top form, Rodgers has absolutely nothing to worry about at the moment.
And his happiness is bound to increase as the club reportedly is one step closer to landing the Nigerian forward Henry Onyekuru. Celtic’s opening bid of £1m was rejected by the Belgian club KAS Eupen, who wanted a fee in excess of £3m. But now the Belgian club has apparently signed two players in his position, which includes Standard Liege forward Jean-Luc Dompe on a six-month loan, indicating that a move to Scotland is very close.
The Nigerian forward is in red-hot form this season scoring 10 goals and registering six assists in 22 league appearances so far. A left winger by nature, Onyekuru can play as a lone striker as well and also on the right flank. And landing the forward wasn’t an easy task for Rodgers either, with clubs in Germany, Russia and Turkey credited with an interest in him. But the player favoured Rodgers over others and despite being initially reluctant in selling to Celtic, Eupen finally gave up.
Onyekuru’s rise to stardom is quite incredible. He joined Eupen as a free agent in 2015. After joining the Belgian side, he scored six goals in his first season, playing a significant role in the club’s promotion to the top tier. Since then there has been no looking back as he has been involved in almost every goal the side has scored.
However, his place in the Celtic won’t be a sure-shot. Celtic have some good wingers in Scott Sinclair, Patrick Roberts and James Forrest, all performing really well this season so far. Sinclair has been the most consistent of the trio scoring 13 goals from the right wing and although Onyekuru has the talent to be a regular in the team, Rodgers has to manoeuvre the tactics to fit him in.
Celtic are way ahead in the Scottish Premiership in terms of quality and all these transfer dealings are likely to increase their chances in the European platform.
