Kieran Tierney is ‘on the verge’ of returning to Celtic – with the big question now whether a deal can be struck to bring him home NOW.
The left-back is out of contract in the summer and Record Sport reported earlier in the window that the Hoops were zeroing in with the hopes of first securing a pre-contract, then opening talks with Arsenal over a January move. Now STV News are reporting the player is ‘on the verge’ of signing off on that first part, which would put Celtic in a strong bargaining position with the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta may want to keep Tierney around for the season but it’s likely that, if and when his move is confirmed this month, they may be open to a loan deal which would see Celtic take on a chunk of his wages for the remainder of his contract. This one could develop fast.
Speaking of things developing fast, Celtic are ready to ramp up their hunt for Kyogo‘s replacement with move for Danish striker Mathias Kvistgaarden, although Brondby’s huge asking price could prove a stumbling block.
The 22-year-old has long been on the agenda at Parkhead and was heavily linked 12 months ago but a fee couldn’t be agreed with Brondby at that time. The Hoops instead signed Adam Idah on loan, and made the move permanent, with Kvistgaarden going on the back burner. But his impressive scoring form has kept up and it looks as if the time may finally be right.
Shortly after Celtic’s win over Young Boys, it emerged on Wednesday night that Kyogo is closing in on a move to Rennes with the Hoops set to bank £10m for the 30-year-old. Jota, it’s claimed, could be heading in the other direction on loan, but isn’t a direct replacement and that would leave Brendan Rodgers with cash to burn on another out and out No.9 to compete with Adam Idah and Johnny Kenny.
The Scottish Sun are reporting that long-term target Kvistgaarden is the man they want – but Record Sport understand Brondby want €16m (£13.5m) for his services which could prove a major stumbling block. He’s also being eyed by Eintracht Frankfurt, who just sold Omar Marmoush to Manchester City, so Brondby know they are in a strong bargaining position.
It’s likely Celtic would be willing to reinvest the bulk of any fee banked for Kyogo, particularly if it landed them a younger option with future sell-on value. But whether they’d be willing to go that high remains to be seen.
Kvistgaarden is thought to be keen on the move and there are suggestions he could be ready to force it if Brondby don’t want to sell. He’s scored 14 goals in 22 appearances this season and would represent an astute signing.