Who are the players Celtic are looking at as summer or winter transfer window targets?

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has made no secret of his desire to strengthen his squad for the 2025/26 campaign. With notable players moved on and only a few genuine first-team contenders added, Rodgers made it clear that he expects more reinforcements to arrive. That hope will be for new players in the summer window, but we have seen genuine quality added in January windows too, so we can’t rule out that prospect either. 

Indeed, Celtic transfer rumours are all over the internet, from media sites to bookmaker and UK casino comparison site blogs. Literally hundreds of names have been linked, with very little coming of the vast majority. But with the new season now in full swing, and time running out to bring in new faces, we look at who’s moved on, who’s come in, and who might still be added.

Major departures

The headline transfer out of Parkhead over the summer months was of course Nicholas Kuhn’s departure to Como in Serie A for a reported £19m. That kind of money is too good to turn down in this modern financial era in Scotland, but it’s vital that Brendan Rodgers is given some of that money to further strengthen. Centre half Gustaf Lagerbielke also headed off for a fee, as did Hyeok-kyu Kwon. A number of other players such as Daniel Cummings, Greg Taylor, Scott Bain and Jeff Schlupp left upon expiration of their contracts or end of loans. Either way, it’s left the Glasgow club short, especially when you consider the departures of Kyogo Furuhashi and Alexandro Bernabei in January. 

Eight new arrivals, but who will make the difference?

Despite spending nearly £4m on incoming players, as well as a number of free transfers, it’s doubtful that the club’s squad is as well set as this time last year. Kieran Tierney’s return as a free agent was the big coup of the summer, but the left-back’s arrival still doesn’t mitigate for the loss of Schlupp and Taylor. Centre forward Shin Yamada doesn’t necessarily look like he can score the goals that can propel Celtic to success on another level, but right winger Benjamin Nygren looks a useful addition from Nordsjaelland, and has made an immediate impact on the first team. Rodgers is looking for more players who can do the same. There were a couple of notable arrivals back in January, of course, but a long-term injury to one of those arrivals – Jota – further compounds Rodgers’ need for fresh blood. But who?

Calvin Stengs – Feyenoord

A link to get the loyal Celtic faithful truly excited, Stengs is a full Dutch international and the winger possesses bags of quality, plus has big league experience in the Netherlands, Belgium and France. Talks have been held between the two clubs, but it will take a substantial fee to persuade the Dutch club to sell.

Etienne Youte – Le Havre

The 23-year-old centre half has represented France at U21 level and spent part of his youth career at Italian giants Inter. It’s an area of the pitch that Brendan Rodgers is no doubt trying to strengthen, and a fee of around £4.5m has been mooted for the 6ft 5in defender. 

Jakob Breum – Go Ahead Eagles

The 21-year-old Breum is a creative attacking midfielder who has also represented his country at U21 level, that country in this case being Denmark. It is believed that the Hoops have offered in the region of £3m for a player who moved to the Netherlands from home club Odense, who are due 25% of any sell-on fee. Hence Go Ahead are looking for £6m plus. It remains to be seen if Celtic will go that high.

Michel-Ange Balikwisha – Royal Antwerp

The 24-year-old Balikwisha has represented Belgium at every level up to U21s and has been on Celtic’s radar for over a year. With a move failing to materialise until now, the chances of this happening remain slim, but the left forward is another potential addition that makes a lot of sense given the make-up of the current squad. 

Adam Obert – Cagliari

Centre-half Obert is a full Slovakia international and has a reported market value of about £3m. With international and Serie A experience, that seems like a snip, if indeed his club are willing to listen to offers. 

Andy Irving – West Ham

Former Hearts midfielder Irving has failed to gain much first-team action while in the Premier League, and a return to Scotland has been mooted for a while. Both Old Firm rivals have been linked with the full Scotland international, and this smacks as one of the likeliest moves on this list.

Louis Munteanu – Cluj

There is little doubt that the club need a striker, and the 23-year-old Munteanu definitely fits the bill with stellar goalscoring form for his club Cluj – he netted 25 last term. However, it is believed the player, who is a full Romania international, is open to a move. This deal could be a tricky one to get done, though, with Cluj holding out for more than £15m for the player.