Eddie Howe has identified major Celtic transfer target

Eddie Howe is not the Celtic manager yet. But recent rumours suggest that he is very close to being appointed by the club.

With the Hoops looking at a major overhaul through the course of the next few months, appointing him would be just one part of the puzzle though. Signing new players and strengthening the squad would be the other.

And it looks like Howe has already identified one player that he could try to bring to Parkhead in the summer. As reported by The Scottish Sun, that man is Steve Cook, the Bournemouth captain who has already enjoyed a long and successful career with The Cherries but could leave in the near future.

It was believed that he would be out of contract at Bournemouth at the end of the season. But Kris Temple has tweeted out that he did sign an extension behind the scenes in the past and his deal actually expires in the summer of 2022:

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Can Celtic sign Cook in the summer?

It is clear that Cook is a player that Howe has worked extensively with in the past and trusts. And combined with the Hoops’ problems at the back recently, and it would make a lot of sense for them to sign the 29-year-old centre-back.

The fact that he will still have a year left on his current deal at the end of the season means that it will be a bit more difficult for the Hoops than trying to sign him on a pre-contract. But even then, a move could certainly be possible as Cook might very well be tempted by a reunion with Howe.

Now, it will be interesting to see if the Hoops can sign the defender. But before that, the first thing they must do is get the deal for Howe over the line. And after that, hopefully everything else will fall into place.