Celtic are now said to be showing interest in a Bundesliga winger as they look to strengthen ahead of the new season. Martin O'Neill will already be getting to work having made it clear in meetings with the board that significant recruitment is required.
The board agreed to back O'Neill in the market, although it's also clear that some of the club's best talent could be lured away this summer. That's something Celtic need to get ahead of, and we are already seeing a number of potential targets emerge.
Campbell could be a Celtic option
One potential target is Borussia Dortmund winger Cole Campbell. The 20-year-old American winger spent the second half of last season on loan with Hoffenheim but struggled for appearances and form, leading the German club to pass up a 7.5million euro option to buy.
Given Dortmund were willing to include the option to buy in the first place, it seems they are happy to move on from the Texan this summer, and they may even be willing to sell for less.
Campbell, who is a right-winger, started his career in Atlanta before ending up in Iceland and working his way up to Dortmund. But he isn't anywhere close to the immediate first-team plans, and it looks as though he will need to find a new club this summer.
Celtic are one of the clubs showing interest, according to Sky Germany, but it's unclear whether they see Campbell as someone who could come in and be part of the immediate plans, or whether it would be a signing for the future, given he is still only 20 years of age.
Campbell needs regular football somewhere next season, so he may seek assurances over that after a tough end to the season at Hoffenheim.
When Campbell was signed by Dortmund, he was described by the German club as “an extremely exciting talent who has taken a giant step forward.”
That was after he had impressed in Iceland and won the league there, but progress has been more difficult to achieve since, given the obvious strength of Dortmund's squad, and while it would have been ambitious at his age, Campbell was likely hoping to challenge for the USMNT World Cup squad this summer.
Just five appearances at Hoffenheim certainly didn't help, and he will now be looking to get back to regular football and to continue his development, even if it does mean moving on.
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