Celtic Summer 2025 Striker Target Becomes a Free Agent

By
Aaron McGuire
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Former Celtic transfer target Jamie Vardy is set to become a free agent this summer following Cremonese’s relegation from Serie A.

Last summer, the Hoops were linked to the EPL winner, before he made the move to Italy.

At that stage, the club were scrambling badly for attacking reinforcements.

Kyogo had already departed earlier in the year and Celtic still had not properly replaced the goals lost from the squad. Then, late in the window, Adam Idah also moved on, leaving Brendan Rodgers desperately short in the forward areas.

Supporters became increasingly frustrated as the transfer deadline passed without a recognised replacement arriving.

Kelechi Iheanacho was brought in after the window had closed.

While the Nigerian eventually produced several huge moments during the title run-in and domestic double push under Martin O’Neill, the signing initially felt more like Rodgers trying to patch together a solution using a player he already knew from his Premier League days.

Rodgers himself then left the club only a month later.

Another striker Celtic had been linked with during that same period was Jamie Vardy – another player Rodgers had previously worked with in England.

Now the 39-year-old is once again available.

Vardy will leave Cremonese this summer following the club’s relegation, becoming a free agent despite still producing respectable numbers in Serie A last season.

The former England international scored seven goals and registered three assists across 29 appearances.

Even at his age, that remains a decent return in one of Europe’s strongest leagues.

Still, Celtic supporters will likely hope the club are in a far healthier position structurally this summer than they were 12 months ago.

After another season filled with fan protests and criticism of the board’s recruitment strategy, patience around transfer business feels thinner than ever.

The message from sections of the support has been clear: another disorganised summer window simply will not be tolerated.