All the latest Hoops transfer news as rumours continue to swirl over incomings and outgoings in Glasgow.
Brendan Rodgers says the hunt for quality players is not so simple as he looks to upgrade his Celtic squad.
So far, only Nicolas Kuhn has arrived but the Parkhead boss is working towards having more than just the winger added to his arsenal. Links have swirled over the likes of striker Mathias Kvitsgaarden while Matt O’Riley has had a bid booted out from Atletico Madrid, with his future firmly in Glasgow.
He was asked at his pre-Ross County press conference whether there were plans for more additions and Rodgers confirmed work is ongoing – but clubs not wanting to part with players with the talent he craves is a challenge. He explained: “There is work going on behind the scenes. It is not easy. When you are trying to get players in, and I have talked about quality before, and I always will do. That is thee nature of what I am trying to build here.
“We have a lot of quality players in our squad developing and improving. I want to add more to that but when you are tying to get quality, it is never easy, as other clubs don’t want to lose quality players. It is something that is being continually worked on. I hope before the window shuts, we are able to do that. I am prepared for hopefully adding to the squad but on the same token, my faith and trust to develop players here is very much there. That is also what I will look forward to.
“I understand 100% what the team needs in order to improve. I don’t want to be in a rush to bring in a player. It always has to be the right player. I also want to create an opportunity for young players to come through.”
Rodgers added on the failed Atletico bid for O’Riley: “There was [an offer] but Matt is a player we don’t want to lose and he won’t be going anywhere in January. It’s a great testament to him and what the club can do for a player. He won his first international cap this season and Atletico Madrid are a big club in European football.
“But he is very much part of what we are doing. He has been a joy to work with and I had a good chat with Matt on Thursday morning and he is someone who will be here for us in the second part of the season.”
Defender Liam Scales meanwhile is well aware of interest swirling around the Dane. And talk of bids from Atletico Madrid and other rumours of interest is no shock to him.
He said: “A player with his ability is always going to be linked with transfers. He’s always going to be wanted by other clubs. I don’t think that’s a surprise, but he’s key for us. For me, he’s probably been the player of the season so far this year. He’s been amazing and we obviously want to keep him. I’m not surprised about those rumours because he’s a player that’s in demand, I’d say.”
Meanwhile, Estoril boss Vasco Seabra has issued a transfer update amid rumours linking Tiago Araújo to Celtic. The left-back is a reported target of Rodgers and after another impressive showing in the Allianz Cup semi-final victory over Benfica, Seabra addressed Koba Koindredi’s future with a cryptic clue over the Hoops target
He told A Bola: “I really like my players and I think they have incredible talent. Whoever takes one of these players will be very happy. They have talent and character.”
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