Celtic are expected to have a busy day in what is effectively the final day of their transfer window. Scottish clubs have until 5pm on Thursday to wrap up their business, but the UEFA squad deadline is at 11pm on Wednesday night, so clubs competing in Europe are working to that deadline to ensure new signings can play in the league phase of whatever competition they are playing in.
For the Bhoys, that competition is the Europa League, and they know they need to add strength and depth after getting a reality check in the Champions League qualifiers. Oliver Sorensen joined on Tuesday, and Celtic are expecting to complete a number of other deals today, on Wednesday.
Celtic have wrapped up trio of deals
According to The Herald's Mark Henry, the first batch of deals have already been wrapped up and are only pending announcements. That batch includes the loan signing of veteran Wolves keeper Sam Johnstone, who will add competition and depth behind Viljami Sinisalo following the summer retirement of Kasper Schmeichel. Celtic will pay most of his wages.
Also done is the loan signing of Shim Mhueka from Chelsea, with the young striker arriving on loan from the season. He adds depth after Johnny Kenny was sold to Preston for £3million, while Callum Osmand is out for a few weeks with an ankle injury.
Last but not least, Joen van den Berg will join on a £3.4million permanent deal from PSV Eindhoven, adding much-needed depth to the midfield.
Three more Celtic deals on the table
Celtic are also hopeful of closing a deal for Feyenoord right-back Jordan Lotomba,k who will add competition to an already crowded right-back position, even with Alistair Johnston being out until October.
Lotomba will bring some European experience and compete with Colby Donovan and Anthony Ralston, as long as the deal can be finalised. It will be a permanent move, with the right-back out of contract next summer.
Celtic are also expecting to close a deal for the loan signing of versatile Chelsea left-back Landon Emenalo, who will make it three American defenders and four North Americans. The 18-year-old will provide crucial left-back depth behind Kieran Tierney, who is particularly injury-prone. Emenalo is also able to play in midfield, but he is expected to play as a left-back for Celtic.
Finally, Torino midfielder Gvidas Gineitis is the main midfield target to replace Arne Engels, and talks are ongoing over a deal, which will likely cost the Bhoys somewhere between £8million and £9million. Again, Celtic are hopeful of striking a deal amid positive talks over the last couple of days, but Gineitis only played for Torino last night, so there are logistics at play in terms of getting it over the line.
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