According to a recent report by the Daily Record, Premiership giants Celtic are said to be on the lookout for new attacking additions to make to the side this summer, with Neil Lennon currently drawing up a shortlist of names to be considered for the role. The report suggests that the manager is eager to beef up his attack-line, ahead of what could be a historic season in the renowned European club’s long-standing culture. With outcast forward Vakoun Bayo set to be shipped out on loan as well, it’s understandable that the Hoops are trying to acquire a new striker. Steven Fletcher, Ivan Toney and Albian Ajeti are the three names reportedly on Neil Lennon’s wish-list.
Although the report states quite clearly that Lennon desires the acquisition of a striker, it doesn’t mean that they’re necessarily going to stop at one. Another point of concern for the gaffer will be the interest developing over his current first-choice striking option Odsonne Edouard.
The Frenchman got the Bhoys’ Premiership season off to the best possible start by scoring a casual hat-trick in their opening day victory over Hamilton. Former Parkhead coach Brendan Rodgers, currently the manager at Leicester City, is said to be preparing a £30m package to try and lure the attacker to the Midlands this summer.
What Is Celtic’s Current Strike Situation?
The Parkhead club aren’t exactly short-handed in the attacking department, with Edouard, Leigh Griffiths and Patryk Klimala all options for the manager to choose from. The former PSG man has obviously been first-choice thanks to his exploits leading the line, while Patryk Klimala has impressed quite heavily with his performances over the last few weeks. Leigh Griffiths didn’t travel with the rest of the team for the French pre-season tour, and the Scot is likely to have to do with a place on the bench for the remainder of the season.
Here Are The Three Striking Options That Celtic’s Neil Lennon Must Consider:
Three Striking Options That Celtic’s Neil Lennon Must Consider
Steven Fletcher
Veteran attacker Steven Fletcher has been around the highest levels of the British footballing scene for a while now, and any sustained follower of Premier League football will surely be well aware of the attacker’s skill-set. The former Sunderland ace is now 33-years-old and has had his most recent spell at lower league side Sheffield Wednesday. Despite being on the wrong side of his thirties, the attacker produced a decent tally of 13 goals from his 27 Championship outings this season. Having recently been released by Wednesday as well, the Scottish striker could be signed up on a free transfer by the Celts.
Albian Ajeti
The West Ham United flop was brought in from FC Basel last summer as the London side looked to be entering a new era for the historic football club. Saying that things haven’t gone quite to plan at the London Stadium would only be an understatement, and Ajeti has been one of the many casualties of their troubles. The Swiss international undoubtedly has a variety of attributes that could be extremely useful to an aspiring club like Celtic next season, and the fact that he was given next to no playing time by the Hammers could work in the Hoops’ favour as well.
Ivan Toney
The former Newcastle United academy graduate is currently a member of the Peterborough United first-team, where he has been tearing things up since the opening day of the season. The Englishman has notched up a quite sensational return of 24 goals and six assists from 32 league outings, which brings his average up to almost one telling goal contribution every time he takes to the pitch. With the 24-year-old’s contract set to expire at the end of the 2020/21 league campaign, there’s a high probability that he is sold this summer unless Peterborough are willing to lose him for nothing next season.
