Paul Tisdale has been appointed as the new head of football operations at Celtic – and he faces a bumper transfer remit with the winter window fast approaching.
Out of favour Luis Palma could be taking a glance a the exit door having been told he must ramp up his game time at Celtic to reclaim an international spot by Honduras boss Reinaldo Rueda. The winger has struggled for minutes so far this season having made just one start so far this season in the Premier Sports Cup win over Falkirk, with his three league cameos coming off the bench.
That led to the 24-year-old being left out of the international squad for clashes with French Guiana and Jamaica. During break from domestic action, Palma has done his best to catch the eye of Brendan Rodgers by netting a hat-trick in the friendly win over Sligo Rovers – but Honduras boss Rueda has set the rules for him returning to the fold.
He told La Prensa: “Luis Palma, luckily, played in a friendly match and got some minutes. We hope he continues to have more participation with his team and he will then be considered.”
Similarly, Reo Hatate will be looking to ramp up his minutes for the international team – could he be looking for a move away from the Premiership to impress Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu? The midfielder has revealed he’s had a ‘personal conversation’ with the boss after travelling almost 30,000 miles in the past month for international footbal without kicking a ball.
Before flying back for the clash with Aberdeen this weekend, Hatate revealed: “I won’t say what it is, but I have had personal conversations about my situation with the manager. I want to help the national team as much as possible if I do get to play.
“Of course I want to be in the team, but my top priority is doing whatever it takes to help us win and get to the World Cup Finals. And I will do whatever it takes to get there.”
A transfer windfall that could be incoming to Celtic Park in January is the sale of Alexandro Bernabei. Currently on loan in Brazil at Internacional, the left-back is racking up regular minutes for the club.
With his temporary deal set to expire at the end of the year, the Hoops will be given the chance to recoup some of the £3.75m they spent on the Argentine back in 2022. Club vice-president Jose Olavo Bisol has already confirmed they want to keep the left-back – but has admitted the ultimate decision lies with the defender: “The player’s will is fundamental to a positive outcome. We are optimistic that a deal can be agreed.”
Another man who could be on the way out permanently is Gustaf Lagerbielke after failing to make his mark after a £3m switch from Elfsborg in 2023. He has been racking up minutes for FC Twente on loan, and the Swede has left the door open to a permanent move to the Netherlands, telling FotbollDireckt: “First of all, it’s about being able to play and be an important player in the team.
“With that comes development and hopefully titles as well. Then you play every match to win, so it goes a little hand in hand.”
Amid the talk of outgoings from Glasgow’s east end, reports in Sweden suggest Celtic are escalating their interest in Bazoumana Toure. It is claimed that Hammarby are hoping for a fee in the region of £8.3m for the 18-year-old – but the Scottish Premiership champions are not the only team tracking him.
If Tisdale and the Celtic transfer gurus want to bring the rising star to Glasgow’s east end. Fotboll Skanalenreport that Crystal Palace are ready to make their move before European heavyweights issue an opening bid to Hammarby.
Celtic are reportedly keeping tabs on Kieran Tierney as he prepares to leave Arsenal in January – and while Tisdale has admitted he likes to utilise connections between managers and players it could prove to be a gamble. The Arsenal star was spotted with Brendan Rodgers at the club charity foundation’s annual gala in London fans sending speculation into overdrive.
However, a return to full fitness could be some way off for the left-back. The Evening Standard report that an exit has been green lit but at this stage ” a recovery does not appear to be imminent” following the hamstring knock he picked up at Euro 2024.
Former Celtic hero Andy Walker reckons that the Hoops will be among the pack of clubs chasing the 27-year-old, adding: “I think it might be an option, but he’ll have a number of options. He’s already been over to Spain, I think Kieran’s problem just now is he’s just too prone to injury, we all know what he can do, he was just a fabulous player for Celtic and really deserved that move to the top-flight.
A move for Jeremie Frimpong is also set to boost the Celtic coffers if he moves in the winter window – which would be music to the ears of the self-proclaimed football doctor. The Netherlands international has been chased by clubs across Europe with the Scottish champions set to bank 30 per cent of any sale by Bayer Leverkusen.
According to Sky Germany, Real Madrid are reportedly set to lodge a bid should they fail to land Trent Alexander-Arnold. The report suggest that the La Liga heavyweights – and the Hoops – may be made to wait for their move to go through with Frimpong keen to wait until the end of the season before sealing a Bayer Leverkusen exit.