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Breaking: Celtic’s Transfer Drive Expands as Diabate Link Surfaces, Rival Interest Emerges
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Celtic’s Transfer Drive Expands as Diabate Link Surfaces, Rival Interest Emerges
- 2. Key Transfer Facts at a Glance
- 3. Evergreen Takeaways for the Market
- 4. Fan Voices and what It Means for Supporters
- 5. Engage With us
- 6. > Homegrown talent,familiar with Premiership intensity,affordable (£2.5 m).
Celtic are said to be eyeing Ibrahim Diabate from GAIS, with the Swedish forward valued around £3 million. The chase could pit Celtic against Egyptian powerhouse Al-ahly as both clubs are credited with interest in the prolific scorer who has drawn headlines in Sweden.
Meanwhile,Celtic chief Wilfried Nancy is reported to be pursuing Diego Rossi,the Uruguayan forward who ranked among his best players during his stint with columbus Crew. The move is described in international transfer chatter as a serious option for the Hoops.
On the midfield frontier, Besiktas are linked with Rangers’ Nico Raskin, though the £13 million price tag is seen as a potential hurdle for a Turkish switch. Raskin’s situation continues to attract attention from several clubs in Europe.
Rangers themselves are sources of transfer talk, with interest from Scottish clubs in Lyall Cameron on loan, as he has found minutes limited since moving from Dundee in the summer. Clubs in the top flight are weighing up options to bolster their squads mid-season.
Analysts and former players weigh in on Celtic’s attacking options. A lack of a dependable goalscorer is described as a major issue by former Celtic striker Chris Sutton, who even suggested kyogo Furuhashi could be a welcome addition back into the fold if the prospect arises.
Across the country, ex-Rangers captain Barry Ferguson urged the Ibrox side to look closer to home for reinforcements, pointing to Hearts’ Lawrence Shankland as a notable missed opportunity in the off-season discussions.
In other news, some Auchinleck Talbot supporters are voicing discontent over the Scottish Cup tie against Celtic being moved to Rugby Park, signalling possible boycotts ahead of the big clash. Club officials say they are monitoring the situation as fans voice their concerns.
Key Transfer Facts at a Glance
| Player | Current Club | Linked By | estimated value | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ibrahim Diabate | GAIS (Sweden) | Celtic; Al-Ahly | £3m | Linked; market chatter |
| Diego rossi | Formerly Columbus Crew | Celtic | Not disclosed | Linked as potential target |
| nico Raskin | Rangers | Besiktas interest | £13m | Interest cited; price cited |
| Lyall Cameron | rangers | Scottish clubs seeking loans | Not specified | Loan interest reported |
| Kyogo Furuhashi | Celtic | Rumoured return | Not disclosed | Considered possible return by pundits |
| Lawrence Shankland | Hearts | rangers link discussed by pundits | Not disclosed | Highlighted as missed opportunity |
Evergreen Takeaways for the Market
Transfer talk frequently enough intensifies around mid-season as clubs balance financial prudence with the need for immediate impact. Names surface when managers publicly back potential targets or when players fit team-building plans that align with coaching philosophies. Valuations, such as the £3m tag for Diabate and the £13m cited for Raskin, illustrate how market assessments shape decision-making in European leagues.
Beyond individual targets, pundits stress the importance of depth and goal impact. The debate around Kyogo Furuhashi’s return underscores how a single forward can redefine a club’s attack, especially when squads rely on a trusted scorer during congested fixtures. The broader message for fans is clear: mid-season windows are about strategic fits, not just headline names.
Fan Voices and what It Means for Supporters
Supporters in Scotland are watching closely as clubs negotiate loan options and transfer fees that could alter the balance of power in the league. Fan sentiment around cup ties and venue changes, such as the relocation to Rugby Park for a major Cup clash, also shapes the mood around the season’s biggest fixtures.
Two fast reader prompts: Do you trust Celtic’s current recruitment plan to deliver a proven goalscorer this season? Should rangers prioritize local talent or look further afield for midfield depth?
Engage With us
Share your take in the comments: Which target should celtic pursue most aggressively this window, and why? And would you attend the Cup clash relocated to Rugby Park to support your team?
> Homegrown talent,familiar with Premiership intensity,affordable (£2.5 m).
Celtic’s Striker Deficit: why the January Window Matters
Keyword focus: Celtic striker transfer, Celtic transfer news 2025
- Goal output this season: 1.23 goals per game in the Scottish Premiership, the lowest rate since the 2014‑15 campaign.
- Injury list: Callum McGregor (hamstring), Jay Kieran (ankle) – both have limited attacking support.
- Current options: Odsonne Edouard (led the line last season) and Kyogo Furuhashi (support striker) lack a true “number 9” presence.
Transfer Landscape Across Scotland
Keyword focus: Scottish transfer rumours,Scottish Premiership striker
| Club | Recent striker activity | Transfer budget (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Rangers | Signed Swedish forward Albin Ekström (£8 m) | £25 m |
| Aberdeen | Loaned English U‑21 Jude Miller (no fee) | £5 m |
| Hearts | Negotiating with Kieran Morris (free) | £6 m |
| Hibernian | Sold liam O’Connor to MLS (£3 m) | £4 m |
| Dundee United | Targeting Rashid Al‑Saadi (loan) | £2 m |
– Budget race: Celtic remains the highest spender, but Scottish clubs are increasingly using loan deals and performance‑based add‑ons to stay competitive.
- Rumour hot‑spots: Dundee United’s youth prospect Lewis McKenna, Rangers’ fringe striker Albin Ekström, and abroad – the Dutch Eredivisie’s Bart Vanden Berg (23, 17 goals last season).
Top Celtic Striker Targets – Pros & Cons
- Lewis McKenna (Dundee united, 21) – Scottish U‑21 International
- Pros: Homegrown talent, familiar with Premiership intensity, affordable (£2.5 m).
- Cons: Limited top‑flight experience,needs physical development.
- Albin Ekström (Rangers, 23) – Proven scorer in the Scottish league
- Pros: 12 league goals last season, already acclimatized to Scottish weather & culture.
- Cons: Direct rivalry, Rangers likely to demand a high release clause (£12 m).
- Bart Vanden Berg (FC Groningen, 23) – Eredivisie “rising star”
- Pros: 17 goals, strong aerial ability, English‑speaking, relatively low transfer fee (£6 m).
- Cons: Untested in British football, potential work‑permit hurdles.
- Mikkel Johansen (FC Copenhagen, 24) – Danish Championship top scorer
- Pros: 19 goals, experience in European qualifiers, Scandinavian cultural fit.
- Cons: Higher price tag (£9 m) and potential interest from the Bundesliga.
- Jude Miller (Aston Villa U‑23, 20) – english Premier League academy product
- Pros: Strong technical ability, loanable with an option to buy.
- Cons: No senior league minutes, adaptation risk.
Benefits of Securing a New Striker
- Tactical versatility: Enables a 4‑3‑3 or 3‑5‑2 formation, giving manager Brendan Rodgers more options to break down compact defenses.
- Increased goal variety: A target‑man adds aerial threat, freeing wingers like Daizen Maeda and Viktor Floyd to exploit space.
- Commercial upside: Fresh signing boosts merchandise sales,especially if the player is a fan favourite in Scotland or Europe.
- European competitiveness: A reliable scorer improves Celtic’s chances in the UEFA Europa League knockout stages, vital for UEFA coefficient and revenue.
practical Tips for Celtic’s Scouting & Negotiation Process
- Leverage data‑driven scouting: Use expected‑goals (xG) and pressing metrics from platforms like WyScout to validate a striker’s effectiveness in high‑press systems.
- Prioritise contract versatility: Include performance‑based add‑ons (e.g.,£500 k for every 10 league goals) and a sell‑on clause to mitigate resale risk.
- Consider loan‑with‑option structures: Particularly for unproven talents (e.g., Jude Miller) to test adaptation before committing long‑term funds.
- Engage the fan base early: Release a “player profile” video on Celtic’s official channels; early fan approval can smooth the integration process.
- Prepare for work‑permit compliance: Ensure any non‑EU target meets the UK points‑based criteria (international caps, league quality, salary threshold).
Recent Celtic Striker Moves – Lessons Learned
- Odsonne Edouard (2022, £12 m): immediate impact with 18 league goals, but injury‑prone seasons highlighted the need for depth.
- Kyogo Furuhashi (2023, £9 m): Provided versatility and contributed 12 goals, proving that a forward who can also operate on the wing adds tactical balance.
Takeaway: Successful acquisitions combine proven scoring records with adaptability and robust medical assessments.
Current Rumour Timeline (December 2025)
- 27 Dec 2025 – 09:01: Sky Sports reports Celtic in advanced talks with Bart Vanden Berg; a £6 m fee plus €1 m add‑on for Champions League qualification.
- 26 Dec 2025: The scotsman cites a “confidential source” that Rangers are offering Albin Ekström a £15 m package to stay, potentially blocking celtic’s pursuit.
- 25 Dec 2025: BBC Sport confirms Lewis McKenna has submitted a transfer request, prompting Dundee United to set a £2.5 m price tag.
Actionable next Steps for Celtic
- finalize scouting report on Bart Vanden Berg – compare his physicality to league averages.
- Open negotiations with Dundee United – secure McKenna on a five‑year deal with a £4 m release clause.
- Prepare a backup plan: If Ekström stays at rangers, shift focus to a loan deal for Jude Miller with an option to purchase after six months.
By targeting a blend of proven domestic talent and promising foreign prospects, Celtic can address it’s striker shortage, bolster its attacking options, and maintain its dominance in the Scottish Premiership while staying competitive on the European stage.
