Where did it go wrong for Adam Idah at Celtic? It had started off so well. He scored nine goals for the Hoops in the second half of the 23/24 season, playing a vital role in powering them to the Premiership and Scottish Cup double, including a goal in the final against the Rangers. That convinced the club to sign him for a total package of around £9.5 million from Norwich City the following summer.
Credit where it is due, Idah did score 20 goals last season while playing most of it as a backup option, either to Kyogo or Daizen Maeda. When he scored that Champions League brace away against Aston Villa, it felt like Celtic had found their long-term number 9. Alas, it was not to be.
Idah never really convinced that he was ready to be the first-choice striker for Celtic. He got more than enough chances to show that he was at that level, but he failed to reach out and grab the brass ring.
Now, his time at Parkhead is coming to an end, abruptly and unexpectedly. As reported by Anthony Joseph, Swansea City are closing in on the signing of Idah. It’s understood that a deal in the region of £7 million is nearing an agreement. If agreed, the Celtic striker could head for a medical in the next 48 hours.
Celtic and Swansea City close to agreeing Adam Idah deal, fee revealed
Celtic already needed to sign a striker this summer. Now, with Idah set to leave, they need two. And there are barely four days left in the transfer window. One can only wonder how, or if, they will manage to pull it off.
Idah might have been struggling for form, but at least he was an option in that position, who had shown that he can score goals in Scottish football and also in big games. We cannot say that about Shin Yamada, Johnny Kenny or Callum Osmand.
Yes, Daizen Maeda did pretty well as a centre-forward last season. But his own performances have been far from convincing this season and many are questioning whether it was just a purple patch of form that we saw in the 24/25 campaign.
It is hard to make something of the Idah situation right now. £7 million is a good transfer fee for someone who was struggling. But a replacement needs to be signed.