If a recent report from The Scottish Sun is believed to be true, Celtic are keeping close tabs on Nicolas Kuhn ahead of a potential January move. The former Ajax and Bayern Munich youngster has resurrected his career in Austria with Rapid Wien, and the Hoops, keen to bolster themselves in the attacking third, are willing to tie him down in the coming days.
The 24-year-old winger progressed through the academy ranks of TSV Klein Heidorn, FC Wunstorf, FC St Pauli, Hannover 96 and RB Leipzig before plying his trade to the Netherlands and joining Ajax in winter 2018 for a fee of around €2m. He then featured for their reserves and impressed enough to secure a move to Bayern Munich a couple of years later.
However, Kuhn failed to break into their first-team squad and eventually joined Rapid Wien for a minuscule €500k transfer fee. He spent a season-long loan stint at Erzgebirge Aue during his Bayern tenure, but the relegation of the Aue-Bad Schlema-based side ruled out any permanent transfer in the summer of 2022.
Despite an injury-riddled 2022-23 season, Kuhn has showcased his finesse and flair down the flanks. He also exhibited his creative spark as a ‘number 10’ and has so far fired in 7 goals and laid on 10 more in 51 appearances across competitions. The Green-Whites, therefore, are likely to demand at least four times the transfer fee they paid Bayern to rope in the youngster 18 months ago.
Why Celtic Should Get The Deal Done
Celtic, on paper, are well equipped high up the pitch with ample depth as well as quality. But they might undergo a crisis this winter with Oh Hyeon-gyu, Yang Hyun-Ju and Daizen Maeda set to join their respective nations for the upcoming Asian Cup competition. Liel Abada has only been involved from the bench after a long injury layoff, whereas Mikey Johnston and James Forrest have appeared sporadically as they do not belong to Brendan Rodgers’ philosophy and gameplan. Outcast Marco Tilio has also been included in Australia’s Asia Cup squad thus leaving the gaffer with Kyogo Furuhashi and Luis Palma as the only available first-team options fit enough to feature week in, and week out.
Although the winter break would allow Abada to get up to speed, Rodgers won’t stand in the way of the fringe names who are aiming for regular gametime elsewhere. He wants to snap up players who fit in his style of play and the former German youth international ticks many boxes thanks to his flexibility and directness.
