Celtic given permission to speak to 16-goal star who is available for £2m

Celtic find themselves in the market for reinforcements this summer and have now moved closer to landing a new target amid recent developments.

Celtic begin to motor in the transfer market

On the face of it, Celtic fans will attest to the fact that the last few days have become a whirlwind in their search for new additions, with several names mentioned in connection with a move to Glasgow’s east end.

Josh Doig could replace Greg Taylor at left-back following Kieran Tierney’s arrival at Parkhead, which would add significant depth on that side of the backline alongside strengthening the Bhoys’ homegrown quota.

Josh Doig in action for Hellas Verona.

Casting the point of focus to Brendan Rodgers’ hunt for a striker, Shay Given has recommended a loan move for Evan Ferguson to Celtic as the Brighton & Hove Albion striker searches for consistency after an unfortunate spell at West Ham United.

He stated: “I just feel he’s ready now to burst onto the scene for a full season with somebody. For us with Ireland it would be great too.

“I don’t know (what) the finances would be to buy him, but if you said for a loan for the season it would be perfect. But I’m not the financial power at Celtic or Newcastle, so I don’t know!”

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The Champions League qualifiers will soon be on the horizon for Celtic. Being seeded will help, but potential opponents such as Basel and Sturm Graz aren’t to be sniffed at.

Finding value for money on the market is paramount. The Bhoys have a proven track record of bringing in talent with sell-on value, so it will come as no surprise to hear they are heading down the right lines on that front.

Celtic granted permission to speak to Benjamin Nygren

According to Sky Sports, Celtic have been granted permission to speak to Nordsjælland playmaker Benjamin Nygren, and they are now in talks with his representatives to try and convince him to move to Glasgow.

The Sweden international is out of contract in December and is free to explore a transfer due to a gentleman’s agreement with his current employers. It is mooted that he will be available for just £2 million.

Should Celtic agree terms with Nygren, negotiations will then begin with Nordsjælland to agree on a fee. However, it remains to be seen if other players come to the table.

Enjoying a fantastic campaign, the 23-year-old registered 16 goals and four assists in 32 appearances across all competitions this term, operating mainly off the right flank.

Showcasing his versatility, Nygren is also capable of fitting in as an attacking midfielder, centre-forward or on the left-hand side, carrying a level of appeal due to his multi-functional nature.

Now, it remains to be seen if Celtic can push this one over the line as they aim to prolong an era of domestic dominance in Scotland that nobody has been able to match.

The next Van Aanholt: Sunderland could now sign “sensational” £5m talent

Sunderland haven’t always found life in the Premier League to be the smoothest experience.

Indeed, the Black Cats have finished rock bottom of the top-flight pile a miserable total of three times, with Regis Le Bris now desperately hoping he won’t be another dire face added to the list of managers who have sunk the Wearside outfit.

Sunderland’s chances of immediately staying afloat have been negatively impacted by Jobe Bellingham’s expected departure to Borussia Dortmund officially going through, but new signings galore will certainly soften that blow.

The top-flight underdogs won’t just be hunting down midfielders to replace their teenage sensation, however, with one new potential defensive addition already being lined up that could see the Stadium of Light outfit land their next version of Patrick Van Aanholt.

Van Aanholt's memorable Sunderland stint

Now back in his native Netherlands to see out his career, the attack-minded left-back was previously a fan’s favourite on Wearside when the Black Cats were in the Premier League during the 2010s.

In total, Van Aanholt would go on to amass a hefty nine goals and ten assists for the regular Wearside strugglers from 95 appearances, before banking Sunderland a sturdy £14m in 2017 when moving onto Crystal Palace.

Le Bris will hope as his team embarks on their new Premier League adventure that they can be as daring as the Dutchman once was coming out from defence, with right-back Trai Hume already proving last season his gung-ho qualities when chipping in with three goals and six assists in league action.

To complement Hume’s forward-thinking approach on the right channel, the Black Cats could be about to welcome a modern iteration of Van Aanholt into the building, with this goal-and-assist-heavy Spaniard now tipped to join the newly promoted team’s ranks.

Sunderland targeting new Van Aanholt

Le Bris’ men are slightly light in the left-back department, with the Premier League new boys only having Dennis Cirkin and Leo Hjelde to call upon there.

To boost their numbers down the left-hand side, Sunderland could soon snap up the services of wantaway Aston Villa defender Alex Moreno, with reports from Spain filtering through that the Black Cats are keen on adding the left-back to their roster for only £5m. They aren’t alone in their interest, unfortunately, with fellow newly promoted side Burnley also eyeing him up.

Before being chucked out on loan to Nottingham Forest for more minutes, Moreno did operate as a useful bright spark for Unai Emery’s men, as seen in this delightful effort cannoning in when Villa plied their trade in the Conference League back in 2023.

That is just one of three goals the “sensational” ace – as he was once labelled glowingly by football journalist Charlie Haffenden – has managed to pick up for Villa, with his vast career beyond England also further affirming his eye for a goal and assist.

His defensive class has been evident too, after picking up a respectable seven clean sheets across his Premier League playing days to date.

Rayo Vallecano

127

9

9

Real Betis

122

6

14

Villa

48

3

3

Elche CF

41

2

4

RCD Mallorca

32

2

1

UE Llagostera

31

2

0

Nottingham Forest

19

0

1

In total, Moreno has collected a healthy 56 goal contributions across his varied career, meaning he could soon go on to be Sunderland’s second coming of Van Aanholt down the left, such is his front-foot approach. Like the Dutchman – whom the Black Cats signed from Chelsea – Moreno would also be arriving from a Premier League rival, should he move to Wearside.

It will be a tough ask for Sunderland to come out on top in the race for the experienced full-back’s services – with Leeds United also hunting down the 32-year-old’s in-demand signature – but it would be a real statement buy if they were successful.

Aston Villa's Alex Moreno

After all, Van Aanholt was last regularly rampaging down the left at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland were a Premier League regular, with Moreno perhaps the sort of buy the Black Cats need to make to become a top-flight staple again.

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