Celtic could be forced into a quick decision over one of their reported transfer targets this summer. The Bhoys have been linked with transfer targets aplenty, but they are yet to pull the trigger on any of them.
Martin O'Neill welcomed his non-World Cup stars back for pre-season on Friday, with the players kicking off the usual summer testing, and there were no new faces in the building. While many of Celtic's rivals have already kicked off their summer business, the Hoops are yet to strike.
Campbell competition
One player Celtic were linked with early on was Borussia Dortmund winger Cole Campbell, who could be on the move this summer. Campbell, an American 20-year-old attacker, spent last season on loan at Hoffenheim and struggled to win regular starts.
Hoffenheim passed up on the chance to sign him permanently, and so he returns to Dortmund this summer. Celtic are said to have shown interest since, but Dortmund want as much as £6million to agree a permanent deal, although a loan deal could be on the table.
As with the rest of the Hoops targets, actual movement has been slow, but there is now said to be another team lining up a move for the American.
According to reliable German journalist Florian Plettenberg, recently promoted Elversberg are now chasing a deal for Campbell. He wrote: "Bundesliga newcomers SV Elversberg are exploring a deal to sign Cole Campbell.
"Preferred option is a permanent transfer, otherwise a loan deal. Dortmund have been informed. Talks have started and are ongoing. Celtic are also interested in the 20 y/o winger."
Celtic could be forced into action
Something needs to force Celtic into action this summer, and it will be interesting to see if this rival interest does that. We don't yet know how serious Celtic's interest in Campbell is, and that will, of course, be the defining factor, but it does seem as though Elversberg are now pressing ahead.
The problem for the Bhoys is that Campbell is still a pretty unproven commodity, and £6million is a risky fee to pay for such a player. One would imagine a loan, or at least a loan-to-buy would better suit Celtic given Campbell's age and the fact he is coming off the back of a disappointing campaign.
Dortmund may prefer to sell at this point, though, and that could complicate things for the Bhoys, who will need to plan their budget accordingly, given they have needs across the board this summer.
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