Celtic set for busy end to transfer window

Celtic are set for a typical late flurry of activity in the transfer window.

The Scottish champions have come under fire from supporters for failing to plug gaps in their squad before their sixth consecutive Champions League qualifying failure.

The Hoops have signed four players this summer – strikers Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran, winger Haissem Hassan and midfielder Mika Baur. That tally is fewer than all the other 41 SPFL clubs.

They sold key players Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels, lost goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel to a career-ending injury and did not trigger a contract extension for forward Kelechi Iheanacho.

They also saw six loan players depart while offloading midfielder Paulo Bernardo and winger Michel Ange-Balikwisha on loan.

With right-back Alistair Johnston out with a hamstring injury until October and fitness concerns over Hogh, Kieran Tierney and Callum Osmand, Celtic are under pressure to strengthen.

They are expected to strengthen their midfield with the arrivals of Oliver Sorensen from Parma and Joel van den Berg from PSV Eindhoven.

Former Denmark Under-21 international Sorensen is reported to be joining on a season-long loan with an option to buy.

The 24-year-old made more than 100 appearances for Midtjylland before joining Parma last summer. He has played 34 times in Serie A.

Van den Berg has only made a handful of first-team appearances for PSV but the 19-year-old has captained the Netherlands at his age group and is reported to be joining for an initial £3million fee.

Reports in France also claim that Celtic are looking to beat Nice to the loan signing of Eintracht Frankfurt left-back Niels Nkounkou.

The 25-year-old spent some time with Everton but largely played on loan before joining Frankfurt in 2023. He spent last season on loan with Torino.

Celtic previously explored a loan deal for Chelsea left-back Landon Emenalo but were waiting for the 18-year-old to shrug off an injury.

Although the Scottish transfer deadline is open until Thursday at 5pm, Celtic have until 11pm on Wednesday night to register players for their Europa League campaign.

Midfielder Reo Hatate is expected to depart Celtic before Thursday’s deadline after falling out of favour under Martin O’Neill.