On a week in which Martin O’Neill underlined the need for Celtic to add reinforcements, the Hoops are now lining up a loan move for an Eintracht Frankfurt defender.
Julian Araujo remains the sole January arrival, with the Bournemouth loanee brought in by Wilfried Nancy until the end of the campaign. However, with no permanent signings secured and little visible progress in the market, frustration among the Celtic support is beginning to grow.
With major tests looming before the end of the month against Bologna and Hearts on the road, O’Neill is eager to strengthen across multiple areas sooner rather than later as he looks to preserve his flawless domestic record this season.
While the hunt for a new number nine tops the priority list, Celtic are also keen to reinforce their defensive unit, particularly given the long-term absences of Parkhead regulars Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston. O’Neill has now turned his attention to the German market in search of a defensive addition.
Celtic prepare loan deal for Bundesliga ace:
According to Sky Sports’ Anthony Joseph and Sky Germany’s Florian Pittenberg: “Celtic are preparing a loan offer for Eintracht Frankfurt centre-back Aurele Amenda. It is understood the Bundesliga club are aware of the interest and are awaiting a formal bid.”
Amenda, 22, is attracting interest from clubs across Europe, including Lorient, Nice, Torino and Valencia. Frankfurt are keen to retain the Swiss defender despite his limited minutes in the Bundesliga. He is valued at around £8 million and is under contract with the club until 2029.
Celtic recently recalled Stephen Welsh from Motherwell to provide extra cover at the back, but with title challengers Rangers and Hearts continuing to make moves in the window, the Hoops currently appear to be falling behind.
O’Neill ‘closer’ to first addition:
The Celtic boss understands the growing impatience among supporters, who may be experiencing a sense of déjà vu after last summer’s failure to land a recognised striker. Nevertheless, he remains confident that reinforcements will arrive at Parkhead before the window closes.
He told The Sun: “we’re definitely a bit closer. It’s essential, it’s absolutely essential (to recruit). I think we know that anyway. We can’t change the squad around for the Bologna game (on Thursday). I’d like to have some people in for Hearts if it were at all possible. I can’t think that there (would be signings this weekend) but I’d be hoping by some stage next week that we’d have people.”
Celtic head to Ayrshire on Sunday afternoon to take on Auchinleck Talbot in a tie that should be straightforward against sixth-tier opposition. However, if progress isn’t made in the transfer market before Thursday’s trip to Italy, concerns may begin to surface around the East End of Glasgow.