The transfer window for Scottish clubs has ended just this month only but planning regarding future transfers have already started at Celtic. Neil Lennon has revealed that, and it shows how much work goes behind the scenes when it comes down to signing new players.
Lennon recently said (The Express) on future transfers, ”It’s a work in progress at the minute, Nick (Hammond, Celtic’s head of recruitment) has been working feverishly away behind the scenes. He’ll report back to Peter [Lawwell, Celtic chief executive] and the board on that.”
Does Celtic need new signings?
The Hoops started their summer transfer window slowly, but they finished with a flurry of signings. Plenty of players had to depart from the club as their contracts had expired while other players went out on loan. Lennon will again need to look for recruitments as the Bhoys have signed quite a few players on loan deals. Moritz Bauer, Mohamed Elyounoussi and Fraser Forster are expected to be important members of Neil Lennon’s squad this season, but they have only joined on a temporary basis.
Moreover, Scott Sinclair is in the final year of his contract, and as things stand, we think that he wouldn’t be handed a new deal. Therefore the Bhoys might look to add a permanent winger in the January transfer window. Celtic have also faced an injury crisis at the back and Lennon had to rely on makeshift players like Nir Bitton to fill in as a defender. Recently, reports have emerged that Jozo Simunovic is unlikely to play this year due to an injury, so the Hoops might want to sign a new centre back this winter.
What kind of players Celtic should go after?
Celtic have a decent amount of young budding talents coming up. Hence, they should look to sign experienced and established players in January instead of investing too much into youth. The Bhoys might even try to pull off permanent signings of some of the loan players.
One such player could be Fraser Forster who is clearly unwanted at Southampton. Lennon should consider signing him permanently with Gordon’s contract expiring soon. As for Bauer and Elyounoussi, the jury is still out there, and it remains to be seen whether the two would be able to impress this season. Elyounoussi is a promising talent, who could be a perfect replacement for someone like Sinclair. However, he needs more time to settle in. If the Norwegian prospect ends up proving his worth, then Celtic should consider getting him permanently as well.
