Versatile star offers tearful goodbye with membership prepared to simply accept Celtic provide
Martin O’Neill and co are nonetheless working the telephones forward of Tuesday’s switch deadline, with midfield reinforcements amongst his priorities after Celtic’s Champions League exit by the hands of LASK.
The Hoops fell from 4-0 up on mixture to crash out of Europe’s elite competitors in Austria, with Benjamin Nygren’s careless backpass sparking the collapse and skipper Callum McGregor admitting his aspect had “bought away with it” per week earlier in Glasgow. It was a chastening reminder of simply how uncovered Celtic may be by the center, and it is put further urgency on touchdown a real defensive midfielder earlier than the window shuts.
Yves Bissouma has emerged as a critical possibility in that division. The previous Tottenham man continues to be a free agent following his exit from Spurs on the finish of final season, and reviews recommend Celtic are plotting a transfer, with no switch charge required and no urgency dictated by the window given his contract standing.
Bissouma has confronted questions over his self-discipline up to now, however his high quality has by no means been unsure, and former Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou labelled him “excellent” throughout their time working collectively in north London. Signing him would give O’Neill a real improve in defensive midfield – he’s a Europa League winner in any case – with out breaking the financial institution.
However Celtic are additionally eyeing a flexible different in Niko Sigur, and Soccer Insider’s Pete O’Rourke has supplied a major replace on that entrance.
Celtic goal says tearful goodbye with deal now shut
“I believe that is a deal that they may doubtlessly recover from the road,” O’Rourke revealed on Saturday, with Hajduk Break up now keen to money in having wished to maintain the participant to assist their UEFA Convention League qualifying marketing campaign, which has now been profitable.
“He is been a long-term goal for Celtic all through the summer season. They even checked out him within the final January window. Sigur is a participant who will not price an enormous quantity as properly.
“He is solely bought two years left in his contract at Hajduk Break up and I believe the membership are able to sanction his potential transfer. They wished to maintain him for his or her European tie to see if they may qualify for the Convention League.”
Sigur’s Hajduk supervisor, Gonzalez Garcia, additionally spoke in regards to the midfielder’s imminent departure following Thursday’s dramatic 3-2 win over Rakow Czestochowa which despatched the Croatian aspect into the Convention League league section.
He mentioned: “We cried collectively within the dressing room with Niko Sigur. I believe that is one of the simplest ways for somebody to depart. He was very emotional, together with Rokas Pukstas, as a result of they’re each most likely leaving. Niko gave an inspirational discuss to his teammates earlier than the beginning of additional time too. I am happy with how he and Rokas fought for the staff.”
Sigur, who solely turns 22 in September, is precisely the kind of participant Celtic may use proper now, offering worldwide high quality on the base of midfield whereas additionally offering depth at right-back and centre-back, such is his versatility. He made 29 league appearances for Hajduk through the 2025/26 marketing campaign, producing one purpose and three assists, additionally representing Canada on the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Wolverhampton Wanderers are additionally understood to have an interest, however Soccer FanCast sources perceive the Hoops will press forward now Break up’s stance has softened, with a charge of round £3.5m anticipated to be agreed within the coming days – the participant himself is eager on a transfer to Glasgow, too.
Elsewhere, Celtic are additionally weighing up a transfer for FC Utrecht’s Adrian Blake, with the winger seen as a possible improve on the underwhelming Sebastian Tounekti. Valued at round £2.5m, the 21-year-old has already impressed in opposition to Celtic up to now, scoring a surprising comfort purpose at Parkhead final season, and has began this marketing campaign strongly with two objectives in his first three Eredivisie appearances. Studies recommend Blake is ‘eager to hitch’, and with Tounekti failing to justify his place, this appears a deal value pursuing earlier than Tuesday’s deadline.
