The summer transfer window is still several weeks away but Celtic have already started to make things happen. Brendan Rodgers has made it very clear that he will be looking to strengthen the squad, having witnessed his team struggle for form in the second half of the season. To make that happen, new additions will have to be made while keeping the core of the squad together.
Celtic seem to be working with both those goals in mind. They have been linked with a variety of players over the last few months, while already reaching a pre-contract with Arsenal's Kieran Tierney.
On the other hand, they seem to have taken a major step when it comes to keeping important players at the club. As reported by The Fitbaw Gospel, Greg Taylor has agreed terms on a new three-year deal with Celtic. A breakthrough has been made in negotiations.
If the information is accurate, then a major U-turn has occurred in this saga. For months, it had been expected that Taylor would leave the club as a free agent, when his contract was set to run out in the summer. But a combination of factors appear to have resulted in him agreeing an extension instead.
Breaking: Celtic agree deal before summer window
A key factor has to be the sacking of Fabio Cannavaro. Taylor was expected to join Dinamo Zagreb in the summer but that rumour appeared to fade away once the Croatian club showed the Italian World Cup and Ballon d'Or winner the exit door.
The second factor has to be the drop in form we have seen from Jeffrey Schlupp. Upon arrival in the winter, on loan from Crystal Palace, he had looked excellent and even put in a superb display away in Germany against Bayern Munich. But lately, the veteran has seemed off-colour and with that, calls for him to be signed on a permanent basis have reduced drastically.
The third factor is Taylor's recent performances. He has looked better than Schlupp. His display against former club, Kilmarnock, was excellent. That is what might have convinced Celtic to go ahead and push for an extension rather than letting the situation drag on.
Rodgers never made it a secret that he wanted Taylor to stay. It looks like that could be set to become a reality very soon. Celtic fans will be awaiting an official confirmation.
Of course, Tierney is expected to be the first-choice left-back when he arrives. But his injury history means that the club will need to have a reliable backup option at all times. Taylor could be perfect for that role.