Celtic have initiated discussions to secure an £8m-rated player for manager Brendan Rodgers, with former Hoops striker Chris Sutton praising the target earlier this year.
Despite reports earlier in the year suggesting Celtic’s desire to acquire a new goalkeeper, winger, and striker for the 2024/25 season, the club has yet to make significant moves in the transfer market.
Rodgers admitted shortly after the January transfer window closed that the club could afford to be “braver” with their signings, aiming to bring in a “higher calibre of player” who is “ready-made.”
Rodgers remarked: “I would go with supporters thinking we could maybe be a little bit braver in terms of bringing in another level of player. But that’s up to me to try and fix that over the course of my time here. You look at the strategy here and you have to be careful because in some ways it has worked. You bring in players for a minimal fee and then they go out and make the club a lot of money.
“What I want to hopefully balance in my time here is that we can still do that, because it is an important part of the modern game. But we also want to be brave enough to hang our hat on a ready-made player.”
This ambition may come at a cost, but there have been numerous rumours regarding potential targets. For instance, it was reported that Celtic had a £7m+ offer accepted for Fenerbahce goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, who represented Croatia at Euro 2024.
In attack, Brondby striker Mathias Kvistgaarden has been linked with a move to Glasgow, while loanee Adam Idah is reportedly “very keen” on making his stay at Celtic Park permanent. Now, there has been an update regarding the Republic of Ireland international.
Celtic Open Adam Idah Talks:
According to Sky Sports, Celtic have approached Norwich City to sign Idah on a permanent deal. However, initial talks have revealed a significant gap in the valuation of the forward. The Hoops have offered £4m, but previous reports suggest the Canaries are holding out for around £8m.
Whether Celtic will return with an improved offer remains to be seen, but if a deal materialises, Rodgers could be very pleased. The 23-year-old, described as “sensational” by Sutton, played a crucial role in helping Celtic secure a league and cup double last season, scoring nine goals in 19 appearances. Rodgers expressed his enthusiasm for Idah after signing him in January, saying:
“Adam, I’m really excited about having seen him play and now seeing him for a few days, working with him and speaking with him. The ability he has is incredible, really; he has every tool that you want to play at the highest level. He’s obviously doing that internationally, and it’s been a wee bit hit-and-miss for him at Norwich.
“But when I assess him, and we see him in training, we see the finishing; we see the speed, we see the touch; I’m excited by what he can bring us over these next remaining months.”
Celtic’s pursuit of Idah underscores the club’s ambition to build on their recent successes and strengthen their squad with quality additions. As the transfer window progresses, it will be interesting to see how these negotiations unfold and whether the Hoops can secure the services of their key targets.