Celtic could have an advantage over a number of German clubs in pursuit of Zalaegerszeg striker Edovie Ikoba with neither Hamburg, Bochum nor Stuttgart certain about which league they will find themselves in next season.
With only one Bundesliga matchday remaining, Bochum and Stuttgart are hanging onto their top-flight status by the final cuticles of their fingernails.
Should both lose – and if Schalke can pick up a surprise win away at RB Leipzig – Bochum and Stuttgart could be playing second-tier football in 2023/24; one going down automatically and the other facing up to a knee-trembling relegation play-off tie.
Hamburg, meanwhile, have picked up a very unhelpful habit of choking just when it matters most. Stuck in third ahead of this weekend’s final round of fixtures, another year of Bundesliga.2 action could await a club desperately hoping to bounce back at the fifth time of asking.
Celtic face Bundesliga battle to sign Eduvie Ikoba
Understandably, given that Hamburg, Bochum and Stuttgart are all stuck in limbo, talks with Edovie Ikoba are not exactly progressing. According to Fussball Transfers, the Iowa-born targetman is a target for all three clubs. But any decisions are on the backburner for the time being.
Ikoba admits that he’d prefer to play at the ‘highest level possible’ if he is to leave Hungarian outfit Zalaegerszeg. Even if Stuttgart and Bochum do survive – thus sending Schalke and potentially Augsburg down in their place – a move to Celtic is likely to hold somewhat greater appeal.
Champions League football and a shot at silverware on offer under Ange Postecoglou.
Ikoba, a physical, mobile number nine, has 14 goals for ZTE FC in 2022/23. He could potentially fill a void created by the departure of Giorgios Giakoumakis during the winter window, with Kyogo Furuhashi and Oh Hyeon-Gyu the only natural centre-forwards currently at Postecoglou’s disposal.
“I haven’t really been focused on any of the transfer rumours. Nothing is guaranteed until a contract is signed,” Ikoba told All Nigeria Soccer this week, quizzed about those Celtic links.
“If the right opportunity arises, I would definitely take time to consider it of course!
“I don’t have a dream club, or even league. My main goal is to play at the highest level possible, wherever that may be.”
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