With Ange Postecoglou now at the helm, rebuilding is imminent at Celtic with new summer signings. The Greek-Australian boss upon his appointment had mixed responses from the Celtic fans and some doubted his credentials for the job. The only objective for Celtic this season is to be at the top and for that purpose, the new boss will have to bring in some new players to his side.
It was very well known that if Celtic appoint a new boss, they would have to back him with some key signings this summer for a major rebuilding process. Moreover, with the likes of Odsonne Edouard, Kristoffer Ajer and Ryan Christie expected to make a switch away from Parkhead, Postecoglou has to turn his attention towards the transfer market to fill the void.
?? | Ange Postecoglou on transfers
"We're hoping we can make some announcements very soon." pic.twitter.com/KuS5kuBjJz
— Everything Celtic (@aboutceltic) June 25, 2021
Celtic have been tracking several players this summer and are certainly expecting to sign some of those targets to assist the new manager in rebuilding. To add quality and depth to the current squad, these three targets have been linked with a transfer to Celtic this summer.
Mario Vuskovic
The 19-year old Croatian defender has attracted a lot of attention this summer. Celtic scouts have been keeping a close eye on the teenager and reports suggest that Celtic are tantalisingly close to making him the first signing under new manager Ange Postecoglou.
Hadjuk Split where initially holding out for a bidding war for Mario Vuskovic as the club officials are aware of the interest in the player. However nothing concrete materialised from the prospective Serie A clubs and Celtic’s £5m offer is going to be as good as it gets for the Croatian club. The deal will earn the player around £13k-a-week and his advisors are pushing him to make the switch to Celtic which should be closed soon now.
Celtic handed huge transfer boost in their bid to sign Mario Vuskovic from Hajduk Splithttps://t.co/x5iTto6zYN pic.twitter.com/U24U80on1p
— Scottish Sun Sport (@scotsunsport) June 26, 2021
Ange Postecoglou and Celtic want to land their transfer targets quickly as they would like to integrate the new players into the team ahead of the Champions League qualifiers and the start of their domestic campaign. Moreover, the interest in the teenager is only going to shoot his price upwards, and therefore, Celtic need to move quickly to get the deal done.
Meanwhile, Hadjuk are in an advantageous position, knowing that the club need to secure a replacement for the potentially outgoing Kris Ajer who seems premier league bound at the moment.
Charlie Wyke
Sunderland striker Charlie Wyke continues to be linked with a move to Celtic. Wyke’s contract with the Black Cats runs out at the end of this month, so a switch is expected this summer, and Celtic are said to be front runners in the transfer race for the striker.
Celtic’s star striker Odsonne Edouard has been linked with a move away from Parkhead as the likes of Leicester City and West Ham are said to be interested in signing him. The search for a striker makes complete sense and signing a guaranteed goal-scorer as a free agent to replace Edouard will certainly be a prudent move if not a transfer of the decade.
Sunderland's Charlie Wyke scored 17 headed goals this season.
That is more than any player in any recorded professional league in the world. Dazed and confused. pic.twitter.com/aZNEyKULgA
— The Tactical Times (@Tactical_Times) June 25, 2021
Wyke was in red hot form for Sunderland last season and was their top scorer, scoring 30 goals in 53 appearances and assisting 5. Ange Postecoglou has already made it clear that there will be changes in the team and it should not come as a surprise if they start by signing a 30-goal a season striker on a free. Amid a season of season and extensive rebuilding in progress, Wyke might be the only striker Celtic sign this window and it will be interesting to see what materialises for them this season.
Aaron Hickey
Bologna full-back Aaron Hickey has been a long-term target for Celtic. Celtic are looking to sign a left-back this summer and have set their sights on the Bologna full-back as the perfect solution for their left-back woes. The Bhoys are expected to move in on the 19-year old with a bid of over £3 million.
The youngster is well aware of the interest from the Hoops and when asked about the rumours, he said:
“Well, I am fully aware there has been interest. I can see it all but I have just got to keep my head down and keep my full focus on Bologna just now.”
The player has shown great quality and can adapt well to many positions on the field. He can slot in as a centre-back, left-back, and also as a midfielder which could be an added advantage for Celtic. The teenager could only make 11 appearances for Bologna the last term after his season was cut short due to an injury.
Ange Postecoglou is well aware of the task and expectations at the club. He is known to set up a team that plays progressive football, which now puts the onus on Celtic to back the rebuilding project with the signings Postecoglou needs this summer.
The transfer targets mentioned above are also linked to other rival Scottish clubs, so Celtic need to gather pace to get hold of their key transfer targets and back the new rebuilding project at Parkhead under manager Ange Postecoglou.
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