The January transfer window is drawing ever closer, and Celtic may look to add some new faces to the squad as they bid for another title.
Celtic have headed into Christmas leading the Scottish Premiership, with Brendan Rodgers well on his way to claiming another league title as Bhoys manager.
However, after a recent 4-0 defeat to Hearts ended the club’s 69-game unbeaten run, and manager Rodgers may be keen to bring in some new faces when the January transfer window opens.
With Zenit St Petersburg to come in the Europa League, Rodgers may also want to bring in some reinforcements for Europe, whilst the Bhoys will also be looking to keep their star players at the club.
With that in mind, here is a five-point plan for Celtic’s January transfer window…
Find a new goalkeeper
Whilst Craig Gordon has been a strong servant for Celtic since joining the club in 2014, but mistakes have been creeping into the veteran’s performances this season. With Dorus de Vries yet to prove that he is any better, manager Rodgers may yet look to snap up another goalkeeper in January, with Tottenham stopper Michel Vorm a potentially ideal target. The veteran Dutchman worked under Rodgers at Swansea and barely plays for Spurs, meaning the Premier League side may be open to a deal if Celtic come calling.
Bring in another centre back – despite Compper deal
Last week, Celtic swooped to sign German centre back Marvin Compper from RB Leipzig in a bid to add more experience to their defence – but Rodgers may need more additions to his back line. Dedryck Boyata and Jozo Simunovic were found wanting in the recent 4-0 defeat Hearts, and even with Compper on the way, another centre back to develop – such as Dundee’s Jack Hendry – may be just what Rodgers is looking for next month.
Keep hold of Moussa Dembele
Reports Christmas Day claimed that Brighton had offered £18million for Moussa Dembele, though suggestions that a deal had been agreed have been questioned. The French attacker has hit 40 goals in 68 games for Celtic since his 2016 move from Fulham, and his performances have unsurprisingly sparked interest in his signature. However, Celtic should be looking to resist selling him in the middle of the season, as he would be difficult to replace in January, and may even rise in value by the summer transfer window.
Loan out Kundai Benyu
Whilst summer signings Olivier Ntcham and Odsonne Edouard have made an impact this season, the same cannot be said for midfielder Kundai Benyu. Always billed as one for the future, the Zimbabwean international only joined Celtic from Ipswich Town over the summer, but has made only one league appearance this term, playing just four games in all competitions. The 20-year-old was playing non-league football with Aldershot Town last season, and may need playing time to continue his development. With Scott Brown, Stuart Armstrong, Callum McGregor, Olivier Ntcham and Tom Rogic among Rodgers’ midfield options, Benyu isn’t in line for playing time any time soon, and loaning him out could be wise.
Offload fringe players
If Celtic are to bring in more new faces, then some players on the fringes of Rodgers’ squad may need to move on. The likes of De Vries, Cristian Gamboa, Erik Sviatchenko and Liam Henderson are all struggling for playing time this season, and may now look to move on in January in order to play first-team football elsewhere, freeing up room for Rodgers to bring in new faces to his squad.
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