Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers is looking to strengthen his attack and should look no further than the Middlesbrough striker.
Brendan Rodgers has admitted his desire to bring another striker to Celtic Park.
The Bhoys are without Moussa Dembele until September, while Leigh Griffiths is not quite fully fit.
Speaking to The Scottish Sun, however, Rodgers suggested that any new arrival is likely to be a back-up player, conceding: “With all due respect to Scottish football, you can’t have three top strikers. You are not playing in the Premier League or a real competitive league.”
Middlesbrough forward Patrick Bamford
But with a winger to replace Patrick Roberts also on Rodgers’ agenda this summer, the Celtic boss doesn’t have to skimp on quality – he could instead target one “top” player capable of filling both of those roles.
One such player, Patrick Bamford, looks to be on his way out of Middlesbrough this summer and could be an option to consider.
The former Chelsea striker only moved to Boro for £6 million in January, but already appears to have been pushed aside by a trio of new recruits – Martin Braithwaite, Britt Assombalonga and Ashley Fletcher – who cost a combined fee of more than £30 million.
A centre forward by trade, Bamford could be ideal cover for Dembele and Griffiths in their respective absences, and could even remain there were one of the pair to depart before the end of the summer transfer window.
Thereafter, assuming Dembele and Griffiths remain at Celtic Park, the 23-year-old could revert to the right-wing role he often frequented at Middlesbrough last season, and Derby County before that – cutting in on to his favoured left foot, a la Roberts.
Former Celtic loanee Patrick Roberts
Rodgers has previously suggested that Celtic’s £6 million transfer record could be surpassed this summer, and Bamford would be a player worth breaking it for.
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