Agent confirmed Celtic ‘interest’ and £2.4m striker now seals free transfer move
Zan Vipotnik of Slovenia celebrates with team mates after scoring to give the side a 1-0 lead during the UEFA EURO 2024 European qualifier match be…Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images
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Agent confirmed Celtic ‘interest’ and £2.4m striker now seals free transfer move
Dan Owen
Dan Owen
Fri 2 August 2024 18:00, UK
In an ideal world, the one-time Celtic target would have left his former club in less ‘devastating’ circumstances.
But, as is the harsh reality of the modern game, the piranhas have wasted little time in stripping the flesh from the boney carcass that used to be FC Girondins de Bordeaux.
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After years of financial problems – and following a failed takeover by Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group – one of the most historic clubs in French football were forced to give up their professional status while terminating the contracts of every single member of their squad, per Sud Ouest.
As a result, a striker who joined Bordeaux in a £2.4 million deal just over 12 months ago now departs for nothing.
Zan Vipotnik scored 10 goals and provided four assists in what would prove to be his one and only full season at the 2009 Ligue 1 champions.
Celtic once tried to sign Swansea City newbie Zan Vipotnik
Zan Vipotnik of Slovenia poses for a portrait during the Slovenia Portrait session ahead of the UEFA EURO 2024 Germany on June 12, 2024 in Wupperta…
Photo by Pat Elmont – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
The Slovenia international was confirmed as a Swansea City player this week.
And considering that Celtic held an interest not so long ago – The Hoops are still in the market for centre-forward a year on from Vipotnik’s switch from Maribor to Bordeaux – one wonders whether Brendan Rodgers’ side were tempted to renew their interest before the Slovenia international took his impressive poaching skills to South Wales.
“Yes, there is interest from Celtic for a summer transfer,” Vipotnik’s agent, Sasa Zupan, told Football Scotland back in 2023. “There a lot of clubs who want to sign Zan when the window opens.”
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Vipotnik, at the time, was coming off the back of an exceptional 20-goal season at Maribor.
If he can get anywhere near those numbers for Swansea – Luke Williams’ mid-table outfit are yet to replace former talisman Joel Piroe following his move to Leeds United – then Vipotnik could prove to be one of the signings of the summer in the EFL.
Adam Idah and Lawrence Shankland are targets
“Heartbroken to say goodbye under these circumstances,” Vipotnik wrote on Instagram when saying a tear-jerking farewell to tragic Bordeaux.
“My time at Bordeaux has been nothing short of incredible, thanks to this amazing club and the passionate fans who welcomed me with open arms.
“It’s devastating to see the club facing such challenges, but I believe in the spirit of Bordeaux and I know it will rise again.
“Until we meet again.”
Celtic, HITC understands, are still hot on the heels of number nines heading into the final month of the window.
Interest in last season’s loan star Adam Idah remains, even after The Hoops’ opening offer of £4 million fell well short of Norwich City’s demands.
HITC reports that Celtic have now lodged an enquiry for Hearts captain and Premiership Golden Boot winner Lawrence Shankland.
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Pantaleo Corvino sports manager Lecce celebrated with the team for promotion to Serie Aduring the Serie B match between US Lecce and Pordenone Cal…Photo by Donato Fasano/Getty Images
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Director opens exit door for £3m Celtic man with ‘dream’ transfer a possibility
Dan Owen
Dan Owen
Fri 2 August 2024 12:00, UK
Earlier this week, Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers set out his stall on the future of Matt O’Riley.
The Scottish Premiership champions have turned down offers from Atalanta, HITC understands, while remaining firm on their valuation. Celtic want a minimum of £25 million.
A fee that would make Matt O’Riley – who also remains a target for his former MK Dons boss Russell Martin at Southampton – the most expensive sale in The Hoops’ entire history.
But when quizzed about the future of another Celtic player, Rodgers was not quite so steadfast in his response.
Gustaf Lagerbielke, a £3 million signing from Elfsborg just last summer, may be allowed to pursue a fresh start of his own if the price is right.
Gustaf Lagerbielke of Celtic FC warms up prior to the UEFA Champions League match between Atletico Madrid and Celtic FC at Civitas Metropolitano St…
Photo by Cristian Trujillo/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
Celtic open to selling defender Gustaf Lagerbielke
“It just all depends,” Rodgers says, via Football Scotland. “Gus has shown a terrific attitude. He didn’t get so much game time last season but he’s got his head down.
“He had the chance to go on loan in January but we needed to keep him due to the injuries we had in that position. But he’s worked very hard over pre-season and we’ll see what happens.
“You see the players are happy and working well, but all players want to play. If they can’t get the game time with us, they may look elsewhere. In this moment, he’s working very hard and when is asked. He comes in and does well.”
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The Stockholm-born Lagerbielke started only four Scottish Premiership games as Celtic secured yet another domestic title. In total, he was on the pitch for just over 400 league minutes.
Despite impressing Rodgers with his mentality and spirit, Lagerbielke heads into the new campaign behind Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales and arguably Stephen Walsh in the pecking order. Celtic also still have Maik Nawrocki and Yuki Kobayashi at their disposal.
A potential move to Italy for the 23-year-old Swede, meanwhile, continues to linger.
Lagerbielke confirmed back in January that he would be interested in following in the footsteps of many a Scandinavian player at Lecce while informing Sky Italia of his Serie A ‘dream’.
Lecce director Pantaleo Corvino would later admit that the Giallorossi do indeed hold an admiration for the Parkhead misfit. However, due to the array of centre-halves already at the Stadio Via del Mare at the time, Lecce opted against pursuing a deal during the winter.
Seven months on, things may have changed. Lagerbielke’s Serie A ‘dream’ may yet become a reality.
Speaking to Tuttomercatoweb, Corvino confirms that Lecce are now in the market for not one but two central defenders before the window closes.
Serie A move is still on the cards with Lecce
The Italians have lost former loanee Ahmed Touba while Marin Pongracic has sealed a £13 million move to Fiorentina to replace Nottingham Forest newbie Nikola Milenkovic.
“We are looking for potential players who are up to the task,” Corvino explains. “We cannot stay with two central defenders. We will sign two more.
“We gave away Pongracic, who was a starter.”
Ahead of Sunday’s Premiership opener at home to Kilmarnock, Celtic have completed only three signings this summer. Paulo Bernardo returns on a permanent basis from Benfica, while goalkeepers Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo both arrived.
In addition to retaining O’Riley’s services, Rodgers is keen to bring in a new centre-forward.
A potential deal for Norwich City striker Adam Idah continues to drag on, with HITC understanding that Celtic have now lodged an enquiry for Hearts captain and Golden Boot holder Lawrence Shankland.
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Daniel Gazdag of Hungary crossing the ball during the international friendly match between Hungary and Israel at Nagyerdei Stadion on June 08, 2024…Photo by Horvath Tamas/Getty Images
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Hungary international Daniel Gazdag profiled as Celtic consider transfer
Olly Dawes
Olly Dawes
Thu 1 August 2024 20:00, UK
Celtic are targeting new signings and may make a move for one Major League Soccer star as questions linger over Matt O’Riley’s future.
The final month of the summer transfer window is now here and Celtic have business to complete.
Brendan Rodgers has so far brought in three new signings this summer – and two are goalkeepers.
Veteran stopper Kasper Schmeichel has arrived and Vijlami Sinisalo, with some advice from John McGinn, joined from Aston Villa.
Paulo Bernardo has now completed a permanent move to Celtic and the Bhoys are are interested in re-signing fellow loanee Adam Idah.
One fear is that Matt O’Riley will end up leaving the club and HITC understands that Southampton are very interested.
A move involving Saints midfielder Shea Charles has been discussed but Celtic have a number of midfield targets in mind.
Déniel Gazdag #10 of Philadelphia Union reacts after being substituted during the second half against Minnesota United at Subaru Park on March 30, …
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
Celtic target Daniel Gazdag profiled
Sky Sports claim that Celtic could look to the MLS market as they start ‘due diligence’ on potential midfield signings.
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It’s stated that Celtic ‘have looked at’ a move for Philadelphia Union playmaker Daniel Gazdag.
Trabzonspor are understood to have held talks about a deal for Gazdag but Celtic have an interest.
Gazdag hails form Hungary and after starting with hometown club Nyiregyhaza, he joined the Honved ranks as a teenager.
Gazdag ended up becoming a Honved hero, racking up more than 200 appearances whilst scoring 31 goals – 18 of which came in his final season with the club.
Philadelphia Union pounced to bring the playmaker to the United States and Gazdag has been a crucial player in Major League Soccer ever since.
The 28-year-old has racked up 57 goals in 127 games for the Union, sparking interest from Celtic and Trabzonspor.
Gazdag has also played 26 times for Hungary and featured at Euro 2024 this summer.
O’Riley would be a huge miss in terms of goalscoring threat and creativity in the final third.
Gazdag has shown that kind of quality in Major League Soccer and whilst resale value may not be the focus with him, he could make an instant impact for the Bhoys.
What has been said about Gazdag?
“[He’s] making deep runs where it’s almost like he’s invisible and defenders don’t see him. Because the amount of times he runs from deep and ghosts in and we sit there on the bench and go, ‘Does nobody see him?’ His timing is amazing,” – Philadelphia Union manager Jim Curtin.
“He’s been above and beyond anything we could have hoped for,” – Curtin again.
“Daniel became one of the top two-way players in Major League Soccer as well as a league MVP candidate last season. His 22 goals and 10 assists in the regular season show his value to our attack, and his defensive work rate and intelligence were key in helping us build a top defensive unit. He’s a great fit for our aggressive style of play and we are excited to reward him with a Designated Player contract that keeps him in Philadelphia for the coming years,” – Philadelphia Union Sporting Director, Ernst Tanner.
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