Transfer Rumors

By: Matt | January 11th, 2009

The new year always brings in the second silly season of the football year, also known as the transfer season. Celtic fans can fondly look back at rumors of every player with the surname of Keane being linked to Celtic in a possible move, but with Roy looking after the dogs somewhere in Manchester and Robbie having a mediocre season at Anfield for the surprising EPL leaders Liverpool, we might be able to avoid such rumors this January. This does not mean that Celtic will be linked with every young player this side of Romania. Celtic’s clear weakness is the left back position. Mark Wilson and Lee Naylor form a two headed mediocre left back monster, with hardly a left leg that can service a decent cross between them. The two were repeatedly exposed during Celtic’s European campaign this season, and if the Bhoys have any dreams of returning to the European glories of a previous season then a solution must be found. Which means of course, Celtic have been linked with every midfielder on the planet. When all else fails, buy a midfielder seems to be Celtic’s mantra. Celtic have already purchased midfielder Niall McGinn from Derry City of the FAI.

Dermot Desmond was recently in the list of the richest football owners in the world, ranking 8th on the list ahead of names like Glazer, Hicks, and Ashley (tee hee hee). There’s no question old Derm’s got the money, but to say he’s been skeptical of spending said money in the past would be an insult to those who are frugal with their money. I understand that in today’s economical times, spending money on every John, Jim, or Jerry is not wise, just ask David Murray (tee hee hee again). However, it has been clear that Celtic have needed help in the back, particularly at the position of left back for a long time. Instead of signing the next greatest FAI star to sit on our bench and score goals in the reserves, spend money on a quality left back that can get Celtic back to the knockout stages of the Champions League. With that being said, here are some of the numerous strikers and midfielders that Celtic have been linked with so far (D’OH!), and how likely I think that the player in question will be in the green and white soon.

Celtic and Bosnian international Semir Stilic were linked together during the summer off season transfer madness, but a deal never transpired. The Lech Poznan midfielder has made it known that he still have Glasgow dreams. The 21 year old said, “I want to leave Lech Poznan. It is an honour for me that a great club like Celtic are interested. I know Lech appreciate me and want me to stay. But, if Lech agree, I would like to move club now. I don’t want to wait because I don’t even know if Celtic would still want me in six months’ time.” Apparently La Liga club Espanyol are also interested in the midfielder, but the Bosnian has seemed to make it clear he would prefer a move to Parkhead. Stilic’s desire to move to Scotland means that if Lech do not stand in the way, a move to Celtic seems quite likely.

Greek fullback Vasilis Torosidis has also appeared on Celtic’s radar. The Olympiakos Right Back can also play a central defender role, as well as a defensive midfielder, making him quite the versatile player. That versatility will come at a price though, as Newcastle, Blackburn, French side Lyon and Italian clubs Lazio and Udinese are all interested in Torosidis, most likely raising his price. These types of bidding war situations seem to be what Celtic tend to avoid, rather going with young talent that they can culture themselves. I just don’t see Desmond, Lawwell, and Co. plunking down the cash in this type of situation.

Manchester City striker Ched Evans has also been rumored to be moving to Celtic for a loan deal for the rest of the season, with a possibility of a long term deal after the season. The 20 year old is currently on loan at Norwich City and does not seem to be in the “buy expensive” oil money plans of Man City. Celtic supporters might remember a similar deal occurring with Greek Striker Georgios Samaras, and since Celtic and City seem to have a good relationship when it comes to things like this, this deal seems likely.

Of course, Celtic have already signed a deal for next season for current Dundee United keeper Lukasz Zaluska, but Celtic have also been linked with Le Mans keeper Yohann Pele. Portsmouth also appears to be keen on Pele, so it is not assured that Celtic will get him. However, if this occurs, it would definitely signify the end of Mark Brown’s tenure as back up at Celtic and perhaps even signify an expensive sale of current first team keeper Artur Boruc. If Pele is bought, Celtic would have Zaluska, American keeper Dominic Cervi, and Pele, not including Boruc and Brown.

Celtic are poised to swipe in on Barcelona fringe player Abraham Gonzalez. Gonzalez is a right back, but since Andreas Hinkel holds that spot, he would likely be put in an attacking midfield role. A role that is certainly crowded at the time, with Shunsuke Nakamura, Koki Mizuno, Aiden McGeady, Paddy McCourt, and Niall McGinn all vying for time at the position. These are the types of moves that are most frustrating to me, as they seem completely unnecessary and take money away from the team’s true needs, such as LEFT FREAKING BACK!