Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers will be working in conjunction with club chiefs to identify potential summer incomings at Parkhead.
As expected, names who could potentially arrive to supplement Rodgers’ squad have already started to emerge in media circles.
According to reports, the Bhoys have made their interest in Trabzonspor goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir known as they look to press ahead with a move that could cost £7.5 million to acquire the Turkey international.
Intriguingly, word has it that Michael Nicholson has been involved in negotiations; however, we will need to wait and see whether Cakir arrives to replace Joe Hart between the sticks.
Earlier in the week, Queens Park Rangers defender Jake Clarke-Salter came into focus amid news that Celtic are believed to be battling Premier League trio Crystal Palace, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley for his signature.
The former England Under-21 international operates predominantly as a left-sided centre-back and has made 30 appearances for the West London-based outfit in 2023/24, notching a solitary goal [Transfermarkt].
Clarke-Salter is under contract at Loftus Road until 2026. Football Scotland claim the Bhoys have made ‘tentative contact’ regarding the defender to sound out his expectations and how much it may cost to land the Chelsea academy graduate.
Former England man speaks out on Jake Clarke-Salter Celtic links
Evaluating the English market has always been a priority for Celtic; however, looking south of the border does come with risks, given that other sides in their football pyramid are also likely to be keen on potential targets.
Speaking to Football League World, former England international Carlton Palmer believes competition for Clarke-Salter’s signature could drive his price up to the £10 million mark.
Palmer stated: “Jake Clarke-Salter is having a really good season at Queens Park Rangers. He’s back to full fitness and playing very well and has been influential in Cifuentes’ side, seeing them pull away from the relegation places.
He later added: “A host of Premier League clubs, as well as the likes of Celtic, Ipswich Town and Burnley, most recently have been linked with the player’s name.
“Of course, QPR won’t want to sell him, but given their financial situation, a bid of over £10m for the 26-year-old is too good of an opportunity for QPR to turn down, and that will give Cifuentes the chance to rebuild the squad to get QPR to the other end of the table next season.
“With that in mind, he won’t want to lose the likes of Jake Clarke-Salter, but if an offer was to come in that region of around £10 million, that would of course be something the club will have to look at because it would help them rebuild the squad next season and to avoid any kind of trouble and maybe push towards the play-offs.”
Clarke-Salter to Celtic could have a knock-on effect
Given that Clarke-Salter is a left-sided central defender, his prospective arrival would only magnify speculation surrounding the future of Republic of Ireland international Liam Scales.
Despite enjoying a meteoric rise this season, during which he has been a constant in Rodgers’ starting line-up, the 25-year-old is out of contract next summer and has yet to sign fresh terms.
Presumably, this deadlock situation will be untangled before too long; however, if he doesn’t pen a new deal, one can only wonder what the long-term future may look like for the Bhoys in defence.
