Celtic will look to “put a deal in place to try and sign” a £60,000-per-week player on a permanent basis in the summer transfer window, according to pundit Michael Stewart.
Worrying Celtic exit news emerges
While the Hoops will no doubt be eyeing up new signings once this season reaches its conclusion, they could also face a battle on their hands when it comes to keeping hold of some of their most influential players.
One individual who fits into that bracket is Nicolas Kuhn, who has been such an impressive performer for Celtic this season, providing so much quality from out wide. Leeds United are thought to be pushing to sign the German, even being hopeful of snapping him up on the cheap in the summer.
Meanwhile, Hoops right-back Alistair Johnston has emerged as a “surprise” transfer target for reigning Serie A champions Inter Milan, as they look for additions in that area of the pitch.
The 26-year-old is a hugely consistent player for Celtic, so they will not like the idea of losing him, following a season that has seen the Canadian notch four goals and seven assists in the Scottish Premiership, playing his part in Brendan Rodgers‘ side building a 16-point lead at the top of the table.
Celtic will try to seal permanent summer signing
Speaking to Premier Sports [via 67 Hail Hail], Stewart claimed that Celtic will look to make Jeffrey Schlupp’s loan move permanent at the end of the season:
“From Jeffrey Schlupp’s perspective, oh my word. You are sitting on your backside doing nothing at Crystal Palace. Or, you are up at Celtic playing in games like against Bayern Munich and potentially winning things. Enjoying your football. Come the summer, I would imagine that Celtic will put a deal in place to try and sign him. His decision is ‘what better option are you going to get?’.
“You might not be playing every week, but as you see with Celtic, there are so many games. He will play a good chunk of games if he were to sign on.”
The £60,000-a-week Schlupp only joined Celtic on loan last month, but the fact that the Hoops are being linked with a permanent move already by Stewart suggests the club may like what they see.
The 32-year-old has one goal and assist apiece in the league already, also averaging 2.8 clearances and 2.4 aerial duel wins per game in the process, showing that he has been effective in and out of possession. Rodgers has also praised his early impact, saying: “You see his physique, you see his quality, and once he feels the rhythm of the team even more, you will get more out of him.”
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As Stewart alludes to, Schlupp is likely to just warm the substitutes’ bench if he remains at Crystal Palace this summer, whereas Celtic can offer him regular football and a chance to be a league champion. A permanent switch makes sense for all parties, allowing the Eagles to get him off their wage bill, so it could be one to watch this summer.
