Greg Taylor has reportedly told Celtic that he wants to join Dinamo Zagreb – which could clear a path for a Parkhead return for Kieran Tierney.
The Scotland international is into the final six months of his contract with the champions, and there has been little progress in talks over a new deal for the 27-year-old. Taylor has jostled with Barcelona loanee Alex Valle for a starting berth in Brendan Rodgers’ side and came under fire for his display in Thursday’s 3-0 hammering to Old Firm rivals Rangers.
Earlier this week, Taylor emerged as a shock target for Zagreb, who are now managed by Italy legend Fabio Cannavaro after facing Celtic in the Champions League earlier in the season. And now Croatian outlet Sportske novosti now claim that the full back has expressed a desire to team up with Cannavaro, who captained his country to glory in the 2006 World Cup.
Zagreb are able to talk to Taylor with the view to signing him on a free transfer at the end of his contract in the summer, but may look to try and sign the former Kilmarnock player this month on a cut-price deal. The defender has scored nine goals in 197 appearances for the Hoops since his arrival five and a half years ago.
It comes just days after the champion’s concrete interest in bringing Arsenal star Tierney back to Glasgow was confirmed. The Scotland star has made just one appearance for the Gunners this season after recovering from the injury he suffered against Switzerland at Euro 2024, despite assurances from boss Mikel Arteta that he still sees him as a valuable member of the squad.
And with Tierney also out of contract in the summer, Celtic are pushing hard to hand the 27-year-old a return to his boyhood club in the January window. Spaniard Arteta was asked about a potential exit for Tierney and other fringe members of the Arsenal squad ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Brighton, but offered a coy response. He said: “All the players that are here, they want to focus on performing and impacting the team and if something happens there then we will assess it.”
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