Celtic are working to finalise several arrivals before the Scottish transfer window closes, with deals for Parma midfielder Oliver Sorensen and PSV Eindhoven's Joel van den Berg reportedly agreed. Sorensen is set to join on a season-long loan, while Van den Berg is expected to complete a permanent move in a deal valued at over £3.4m, as first reported by Sky Sports. Conversely, efforts to sign Torino midfielder Gvidas Gineitis have stalled after a bid was rejected for being below valuation, and discussions with Wolverhampton Wanderers regarding a loan deal for goalkeeper Sam Johnstone remain ongoing.
Addressing Urgent Squad Deficiencies
This late surge of recruitment follows a period of significant turnover at Celtic Park. The departure of Arne Engels to West Ham in a £22m deal has left a substantial vacancy in the centre of the pitch, prompting the current focus on midfield reinforcements. Beyond the engine room, manager Martin O'Neill faces immediate pressure to balance the squad for the upcoming UEFA Europa League campaign, which requires prompt registration of new signings. The current defensive situation further complicates matters, with an injury to Alistair Johnston and an ongoing reliance on Kieran Tierney at left-back creating a pressing need for cover. This activity is, in part, a corrective measure for a squad that has appeared light in key areas during the early stages of the season.
The Reality of the 'Eight-Signing' Narrative
While reports have surfaced suggesting the club could target as many as eight arrivals before the deadline, these figures are unverified and likely represent an optimistic outlook rather than a concrete plan. The failed approach for Gvidas Gineitis, confirmed by sources in Italy via OneFootball, illustrates the difficulties inherent in late-window negotiations where selling clubs are reluctant to part with assets without adequate time to secure replacements. Securing eight players within the final hours of a window is historically rare and operationally complex. Celtic’s current strategy appears to be a reactive, deadline-day scramble, reminiscent of past transfer windows, rather than a coordinated expansion. Unless significant progress is made on secondary targets in the coming hours, the total number of arrivals will likely fall short of the speculative projections currently circulating.
