BRENDAN RODGERS is bracing himself for a whirlwind of transfer activity just 32 days before the signing deadline.
The Celtic boss has been busy trying to strengthen his squad with the Premiership season kicking off on Sunday when Kilmarnock visit Parkhead on Flag Day.
Paulo Bernardo, Adam Idah, Hugo Bueno and Dara O’Shea are just four of the names apparently on Rodgers’ wanted list, but there are continued reports linking Hoops stars with an exit from Parkhead.
Four players are in the headlines today as the champions prepare for the competitive action following their three wins in eight days during their US tour where they beat DC United (4-0) in Washington, Manchester City (4-3) in North Carolina and Chelsea (4-1) in Indiana.
WANTED MEN…Matt O’Riley and Reo Hatate celebrate on Celtic’s US tour where the midfielders were again the centre of attention.
REO HATATE is attracting attention from Rodgers’ former club Leicester City.
MATT O’RILEY is still the focus for Southampton and Europa League winners Atalanta who have had three bids rejected for the classy playmaker.
GUSTAF LAGERBIELKE, who rarely figured in his debut term after last summer’s £3million arrival from Elfsborg, is being monitored by Serie A clubs Parma and Hellas Verona, according to local sports media outlet Aftonbladet.
STEPHEN WELSH, who played back-up central defender behind first-choice pairing Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales, is being eyed as a possible loan signing by Belgian outfit KV Mechelen.
Newly-promoted Leicester are reportedly preparing a big-money offer for Japanese international Hatate, according to the Daily Mail.
WANTED MEN…Gustaf Lagerbielke and Stephen Welsh celebrate Celtic’s 2-1 Champions League triumph over Feyenoord last season at Parkhead where the Swede claimed the late winner.
Steve Cooper, the former Nottingham Forest gaffer who took over from Chelsea-bound Enzo Maresca in the summer, urgently requires creativity in the middle of the park and has targeted the Hoops star.
The champions booted out a bid from Russian side Zenit St Petersburg earlier this month and will not welcome increased interest in the fans’ favourite who still has four years to run on his contract.
His engine-room colleague O’Riley continues to get mentioned with a variety of apparent suitors and Serie A club Atalanta allegedly had a third move blocked for the 23-year-old London-born Denmark midfielder.
Their fellow-Italians Juventus and Inter Milan have also been credited with interest in the stylish performer while Atletico Madrid failed in a loan-to-buy move in January.
Centre-backs Lagerbielke and Welsh may be allowed to move as they pursue regular football elsewhere.
Watch this space!
