A defender previously linked with Celtic is no longer an option after completing a move to the Bundesliga.
The club’s first official summer signing is still to be announced, although striker Camilo Duran has already been pictured with supporters at Celtic’s pre-season training camp in Portugal. His arrival is expected to be confirmed imminently and will kick off the club’s business in the current transfer window.
There is still plenty of work to be done.
Martin O’Neill has already made it clear that Celtic are “definitely looking” to bring in a new goalkeeper before the window closes. He also confirmed the club remain in discussions over keeping Kelechi Iheanacho for at least another season.
The Nigerian is currently a free agent after Celtic chose not to activate the one-year extension in his contract, but talks remain ongoing over a fresh agreement.
One rumour can be put to bed, however, as a January target has moved to Germany’s top flight.
Werder Bremen have officially announced the signing of Oskar Wojcik, bringing an end to speculation that he could make the switch to Parkhead this summer.
The 22-year-old centre-back had been on Celtic’s radar earlier this year. The Hoops saw a reported £3.5 million bid rejected by KS Cracovia during the January transfer window after the Polish defender impressed with a string of performances in the Ekstraklasa.
Despite Cracovia finishing 13th in the league last season, Wojcik’s displays attracted attention from clubs across Europe. Werder Bremen have now won the race for his signature, taking one name off Celtic’s list of potential defensive additions.
It is another transfer story that can now be filed away as Celtic continue to shape their squad ahead of the new campaign.
Missing out on Wojcik will not come as a major surprise given the lack of concrete developments since January, but it is another reminder that targets do not stay available for long once the European market begins to move.
Attention now turns back to the players already in Portugal and the business Celtic can get over the line before competitive football returns.
The Hoops continue their pre-season schedule on 14 July when they take on Sporting CP, with O’Neill still hoping to have fresh faces through the door before preparations gather pace.
