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Celtic working on eight deals as Brendan Rodgers set to finally get his wish

Celtic working on eight deals as Brendan Rodgers set to finally get his wish

Yahoo2 days ago
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers hasn't been shy in demanding the club add more firepower this summer.
And the door has been thrown open to Louis Munteanu in the hunt for a striker to rival Adam Idah.
Matt O'Riley, Kyogo Furuhashi and Nicolas Kuhn all departing the Scottish champions in the last three windows - with Rodgers insisting adding more goals was his priority before the window closes.
READ MORE: Celtic to face Kairat in Champions League playoff as nightmare 7000 mile trip awaits
READ MORE: Panicked Rangers pundits uncover Russell Martin truth as Kris Boyd 'worries' spiral after Plzen
The first leg of the Champions League qualifier is fast approaching - with the Scottish champions set to face either Kairat or Slovan Bratislava on August 20.
And Romania international Munteanu has been thrown into a bizarre situation by Cluj amid claims that a £10.5million bid from Stade Rennes had been accepted - while a Celtic bid had been knocked back.
But weeks later he remains at Cluj - after owner Nelutu Varga insists he has now turned down a series of offers for the frontman.
He told Pro Sport: I refused four clear offers. I don't want to talk about transfer fees anymore. I know how much he's worth and I'm not in a hurry to give him away. No matter how many offers he has, the right offer will surely come."
Celtic may also have to meet a massive salary to bring in the striker - with the Romanian outlet claiming that Munteanu's agent is pushing for a £1.7million-per-year salary.
After the departure of Kuhn, a winger is also high up on the shopping list with Go Ahead Eagles forward Jakob Breum on the agenda despite chief Jan Willem van Dop's brutal swipe at the Hoops.
Michel-Ange Balikwisha remains an option with Belgian outlet HLN reportinh that while the Hoops retain the most concrete interest in the wide man, they haven't been table to come to an agreement with Antwerp.
The Eredivise side are aiming to recoup the £4.7million forked out to sign Balikswisha from league rivals Liege back in 2021 - despite the forward entering the final year of his deal.
Adam Obert is also said to be attracting interest from Celtic and in Germany - but a £6million price tag has been placed on the 22-year-old.
Brondby's highly-rated winger Clement Bischoff has been touted as a target for Celtic and Sunderland this summer - and has been pitched a move to Celtic Park over the Premier League promise land.
Former Rangers defender Richard Foster conceded: "For me, you are going to Celtic, with the opportunity to go and play in the Champions League.
'Or, you are going to Sunderland, where, let's be honest, they are likely going to be cannon fodder for the rest of the league.
'In my mind, there isn't even a question there. Even if Sunderland are offering twice the money, I think the winger should go to Celtic, if that's his choice.'
Celtic have been linked with a shock move for West Ham playmaker Andy Irving - with a £3.5million price tag placed on the Scot.
However, the Scottish champions face a battle for the midfielder with The Scotsman reporting they are joined by Rangers and interested suitors in Serie A and the Bundesliga in the race for the 22-year-old.
Marco Tilio's move to Rapid Vienna is on hold - despite failing to make a competitive appearance so far this season.
But sporting director Markus Katzer has refused to give up hope, telling Kurier: "Tilio could give us as much as Dahl, even if he plays differently. He is the perfect fit. It would be a good and fair deal for both."
Stephen Welsh is also expected to leave Glasgow's east end following the arrival of Jahmai Simpson-Pusey on loan from Manchester CIty.
The Hoops academy graduate has fallen out of favour under Rodgers and recently spent time on loan with Belgian side Mechelen with reports suggesting Welsh is exploring his options.
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Sunderland and the Stadium of Light get the emotional exorcism they need on Premier League return
Sunderland and the Stadium of Light get the emotional exorcism they need on Premier League return

New York Times

time15 minutes ago

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Sunderland and the Stadium of Light get the emotional exorcism they need on Premier League return

The Stadium of Light, for so long, was where Premier League aspirations came to die. There were fleeting moments of joy, enough to help its tenants stage a series of escapes from relegation to the Championship, but it became a venue synonymous with Sunderland's perennial struggle. Just 18 wins came from the last 76 games played on Wearside before the Premier League lights were turned off in the spring of 2017. None at all were found in the final 13. Sunderland's home became listless and drab, where even the energy to complain had been sapped. Advertisement Eight years away from the Premier League dragged Sunderland to darker places still, down to their historic nadirs of League One, but in a city by the sea is a club and its fans now riding a wave. An opening day victory over West Ham United brought the latest release of euphoria 10 weeks after promotion was dramatically won through the Championship play-offs. 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West Ham's failure on the basics already has Graham Potter talking about bouncing back
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Chelsea must build on Club World Cup glory to thrive in new Premier League campaign
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Chelsea must build on Club World Cup glory to thrive in new Premier League campaign

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