Celtic have made their move in the race to sign highly rated Shamrock Rovers striker Michael Noonan, submitting a formal bid in the last 24 hours as interest in the 17-year-old heats up.
The Scottish champions are attempting to fend off Bundesliga side Hoffenheim, who are reported to be in advanced talks over a deal for the young Irish forward.
However, The 42 report that Shamrock Rovers have already rejected two bids from the German side, as they fall short of the club’s €2 million valuation.
Noonan enjoyed a breakout season in 2025, scoring six goals in 30 appearances for Rovers. His progress has now attracted serious interest across Europe, with Celtic now firmly in the mix.
Complicating matters is the fact that Dermot Desmond, Celtic’s largest shareholder, also holds a stake in Shamrock Rovers, raising questions about how that connection could influence a possible deal. Celtic have bought Liam Scales from Shamrock Rovers most recently, while Johnny Kenny was on loan at the club recently.
Fabrizio Romano reported on Saturday that Hoffenheim were aiming to wrap up a deal quickly, but Celtic made a late push. The Hoops are desperate to bolster their attacking options, and Noonan would be seen as a potential long-term project, rather than someone who will come in and play a lot of games just now.
There is a feeling, though, that Noonan could wait until the summer to get his move.
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