In a week when Celtic are preparing for a big Scottish Cup final against Rangers, transfer updates seem to be the order of the day today.
We discussed earlier how Sky Sports’ Anthony Joseph gave an update on potential incomings and outgoings at Celtic this summer as Brendan Rodgers looks to strengthen for next season.
With the future of Matt O’Riley dominating most of the conversations, one player who is definitely moving on and needs replacing is Joe Hart.
Retiring after the Scottish Cup final, Hart will leave a gaping hole in the Celtic team but it seems that Rodgers may already have his eye on a possible replacement.
Koen Casteels being eyed by Celtic
The Belgian international is said to be wanted by Celtic after a report by Stephen McGowan in the Daily Mail claims that Cateels has ’emerged as an option’ for Rodgers despite the 31-year-old holding talks about a free transfer to Anderlecht.
Casteels will leave Wolfsburg as a free agent this summer after nine years at the club and it seems that Celtic are looking at him as a replacement for the popular departing Hoops ‘keeper.
With eight caps to his name, Casteels was once compared to the legendary Bayern Munich goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer by his former manager, Mark van Bommel.
Speaking after a 0-0 Champions League draw with Lille back in 2021, van Bommel said [UEFA.com cited by Bulinews], “Koen has improved every year.
“He’s moved up another level. With Manuel [Neuer] he’s the best goalkeeper in the Bundesliga.”
A former Belgian champion with KRC Genk in 2011, Casteels has also won a Belgian Cup in 2009 and the German Super Cup with Wolfsburg in 2016. [Transfermarkt]
With big gloves to fill, Hart will be sorely missed by the Celtic fans as they to Rodgers to get the right man in place to help keep that back door tightly shut for next season’s assault on the Champions League.