Another week, another potential Joe Hart replacement off the table for Celtic.
As the recently retired shot-stopper settles into his new punditry role for the BBC – all the while sending social media into an admiring meltdown with his picture perfect posture – Celtic’s pursuit of a new number one goes on.
And there doesn’t really look to be an end in sight either.
Despite fresh rumours surrounding Croatia keeper Dominik Livakovic, Celtic’s options have dwindled a little. Patrick Pentz has joined Brondby from Bayer Leverkusen. Michael Zetterer signed a new contract at Werder Bremen.
There has been little movement on Ugurcan Cakir either, while HITC understands Coaimhin Kelleher – Celtic’s dream target – will set the Glasgow giants back a considerable sum. Liverpool want around £15 million. Celtic, however, have never before spent an eight-figure sum on a single player.
One of the more affordable alternatives, meanwhile, appears to have his bags packed as he prepares to join a new club next week. But it won’t be Celtic.
Celtic to miss out on Groningen-bound goalkeeper
According to the Brabants Dagblad, Etienne Vaessen will leave RKC Waalwijk for newly promoted Eredivisie rivals FC Groningen when his contract officially expires on July 1st.
“FC Groningen has the best plan for him, and so Vaessen leaves for the far north,” the report says.
Vaessen has allegedly agreed a three-year deal with the option for a fourth. Frank van Mosselveld, Groningen’s CEO, knows Vaessen well from their time together at RKC.
Shortly after Hart said his goodbyes to Parkhead, Vaessen bid a similarly emotional farewell to the club he has represented for over a decade.
“When I’m on holiday, there will be some tears,” Vaessen says, via Brabants Dagblad and Omroep Brabant.
“I am happy that I chose to stay for another year last summer. RKC will remain in the Eredivisie. That is what we all did it for. And with a new squad and many young boys.
“Now, the search starts for a new club.”
It’s a search that might just be over. Celtic’s own search, however, goes on.
Atletico Madrid goalkeeper may be an option
The door to Horatiu Moldovan may have just swung open, however. The Atletico Madrid benchwarmer is not happy with life on the sidelines at the Wanda Metropolitano and has made no secret of his desire for a fresh start.
Celtic were linked in January, shortly before Moldovan left Rapid Bucharest for the La Liga giants.
“I want to leave Atletico Madrid in the summer or winter,” Moldovan told the Tare de tot cu Viorel Grigoroiu podcast. “I don’t know if I’ll leave now, because it depends on what I do at the Euros with Romania. It depends on the opportunities that arise.
“But I definitely want to leave to play.
“If a good team from a big league presents itself to me, then I want to go,” adds Moldovan, who lost his place as Romania’s number one before Euro 2024 began. “We will see what offers appear.
“You can’t reject (the chance to sign for) Atletico. But I want to play.”
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