According to a recent report by German news source Kicker, Premiership giants Celtic are said to be among a host of clubs currently keeping tabs on Bundesliga strike sensation Sebastian Andersson. The report suggests that Union Berlin could look to cash in on his due to financial reasons and that the player’s embedded release clause currently sits at just around a mid-single-digit million range. It has also been clarified in the report that the clause sees inflation of about 30 per cent if the transfer is to the United Kingdom.
Although the report has clarified that Celtic are interested in Sebastian Andersson, the competition they face from across the continent is sure to pose Neil Lennon’s ambitions a stern challenge. It has been suggested that there are a flurry of top European clubs currently after his signature, with some teams from England also involved in the race. Newcastle United, Bournemouth, Leeds United, West Brom and Brentford are the clubs that form the English contingent, while the player’s most attractive option at this point is reportedly Bundesliga outfit Schalke 04.
What Is Celtic’s Current Situation In The Striker’s Role?
The Glasgow club currently have three realistic options to choose from the in the striker’s role, with French forward Odsonne Edouard undoubtedly the first-choice under Neil Lennon’s reign. The alternate possibilities to be deployed in that position are 21-year-old Patryk Klimala, or veteran forward Leigh Griffiths. While the three names mentioned above should, on paper, be enough to navigate a Premiership season, the question marks surrounding the future of Edouard are sure to come as a concern to the manager.
Griffiths was brought back into the Celtic first-team picture only around the midway point of last season after he spent an extended spell away from the team owing to some personal difficulties. On the other hand, Klimala, at 21, still has a lot of developing to do before he can even think about replicating the goalscoring form of Edouard. The former PSG man was nothing short of a sensational for the Hoops last season, and his mammoth presence leading the line simply cannot be underplayed either.
What Makes Sebastian Andersson An Attractive Option For Celtic?
The Swedish international striker has been on the radar of teams from some of the most competitive leagues in the continent, owing largely to the success he has achieved throughout the current campaign. Not only has he provided Union Berlin with a solid physical presence up front, but he’s also managed to score goals at a commendable rate. The forward scored 12 times and set up a further three goals this Bundesliga season, thereby catching the eye of teams like Celtic and even Newcastle United. Standing at 1.9m tall, Andersson’s physical attributes could be well-suited to the gritty nature of English or Scottish football.
Celtic Are Interested In Sebastian Andersson: Smart Move For Lennon?
The Celts’ search for a new striker has been no secret and considering everything that’s going to be on the line in the league next season, their desire is understandable. The presence of Edouard has been the guiding force that has carried the Celts thus far, and his potential departure would have an inexplicably significant impact on the general functionality of the team.
If the Frenchman were to leave this summer, the addition of a proven goalscorer would become an absolute necessity, and with the best interest of the club in mind, Andersson would be a top buy for the Parkhead club.
