NafisaCeltic have reportedly made Marc Leonard one of their leading priorities for the summer transfer window as the midfielder prepares to complete his loan spell at Hearts before returning to Birmingham City.
The Hoops appear ready to stir things up even while the Scottish Premiership title race remains alive. By the end of the campaign, the feeling inside Parkhead could easily become a case of if they cannot overcome their rivals, they may simply sign their best players instead.
It would certainly be a statement move. In one swoop, Celtic would strengthen a squad badly needing fresh additions while simultaneously weakening one of the sides pushing them hardest domestically. The biggest question has centred around exactly who those targets would be.
According to Football Insider journalist Pete O’Rourke, Leonard has now emerged as one of Celtic’s main targets ahead of the summer market as he gets set to return to Birmingham following his impressive stint at Hearts.
The update represents a significant setback for those at Tynecastle, who may have hoped to secure the midfielder permanently themselves once the transfer window opens. Right now though, it appears Celtic are the club making the strongest push.
O’Rourke explained the situation while speaking to Football Insider.
“He’s a player that’s impressed a great deal up in Scotland this season, he’s been instrumental for Hearts.
“He’s been right up there as one of their most important players in the second half of the season, and he’s a player Celtic will be fully aware of. Even before his move to Hearts, he’s a player who has been on their radar for a while.
“He’s under contract still at Birmingham for another two years so we don’t know what Birmingham’s plans are for Marc Leonard. I’m sure he’s a player that Celtic are looking at, but again, I think there’ll be a lot of competition for his signature if Birmingham are willing to let him move on.”
Leonard’s performances at Hearts have only strengthened the belief that he could become a major asset at Celtic on a permanent basis, particularly with Callum McGregor now entering the later years of his current contract, which runs until 2028.
In Leonard, Celtic may already see a natural long-term successor to their captain.
Statistically, Hearts appear to have played a huge role in accelerating the midfielder’s development this season. Leonard has produced stronger numbers than McGregor in several important areas and has particularly stood out with his work off the ball.
At 24, the midfielder is entering what many would consider the prime years of his career and now faces a potentially huge decision this summer.
If both Hearts and Celtic make serious moves for him, Leonard could find himself choosing between continuing at Tynecastle or making the switch to one of Scottish football’s biggest clubs in a move that many Hearts supporters would undoubtedly view as a painful betrayal.
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