The Celtic Bhoys
Fansided

Celtic in on pair of attacking options to start transfer window

By Andrew Coppens

MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 18: Viktor Fischer of Middlesbrough (L) in action during The Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Middlesbrough and Oxford United at Riverside Stadium on February 18, 2017 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 18: Viktor Fischer of Middlesbrough (L) in action during The Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Middlesbrough and Oxford United at Riverside Stadium on February 18, 2017 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Let the rumor mill kick in to high gear, because it is officially transfer season. It means all sorts of crazy rumors and players being linked to moves to and from clubs.

We’re here to sift through all of it and give you a look at the moves that could be realistic for Celtic. As June sets in, there appears to be two strong links to players Celtic have an interest in.

First we hear of a potential deal with Aberdeen talisman Jonny Hayes. The 29-year-old looks to be a replacement on the side for the likely departed Patrick Roberts. According to the Daily Mail, the move may be in the region of £1.2 million.

It would be an alright move, but at 29 Hayes is who he is, and it seems hard to see him as an upgrade or equal to the level of production that Roberts gave us. Hayes did bag

Celtic appears to have some company in wanting Hayes though. The Daily Mail indicates that both Cardiff City and Birmingham are interested in Hayes’ services, with Cardiff the heaviest of interest outside of Celtic.

There also could be the potential for a player-for-player and a bit of cash swap between the top two clubs in Scotland. That would see Ryan Christie moving to Aberdeen permanently and Hayes coming to the Scottish champions.

More from The Celtic Bhoys

It would certainly make sense for Christie, as he saw his personal career take off once he made the move to the Dons. He put in seven goals in his time with the club on loan since February, an impressive total for a guy buried on Celtic’s bench.

That type of a move would also make sense given Celtic’s rumored interest in a promising youngster down south. According to The Northern Echo, Celtic are interested in Middlesbrough forward Viktor Fischer.

He came to Middlesbrough as one of the most highly-regarded players in Ajax’s young squad over the past few years. But, his transition to the EPL was a brutal one. He started in just six matches for the club and struggled with figuring things out at the level he just got to.

Now with Middlesbrough relegated to the Championship and a new manager likely in place, Fischer’s place isn’t guaranteed.

This again is a move that makes sense for Celtic in some respects. Fischer appears to be a player ripe to hit the reset button, needing a bit more seasoning under a manager who gets the best out of young players, while the club could certainly use the depth up front.

A look at the long list of missed games by both Moussa Dembele and Leigh Griffiths should be proof enough.

Celtic dealt with some big injury issues up front this past season, with Leigh Griffiths and Moussa Dembele missing extended time due to injuries. In fact, both were missing at the same time late in 2016 and that stretched Celtic’s squad big time.

Next: Celtic replacing pitch at Paradise

Fischer would need to prove he is beyond the mess at Middlesbourgh, but with his young age and pedigree at Ajax, this move is ripe for a huge pay-off with Rodgers around.

We’ll see if either move happen, but given Celtic’s small list of needs this offseason, getting both done early would be really helpful to the club. Keep an eye out for these deals to either happen quickly or not at all.