Celtic leading race to sign £6 million centre-back

Celtic are expected to have a relatively busy January transfer window. The club's form has improved in recent weeks, winning four straight, including a Glasgow Derby, which means there is not as much urgency about the situation as was there not too long ago. But that does not mean that the Hoops do not need to improve their squad this month.

Centre-back is one area where they might need to bring in reinforcements. Nat Phillips has already returned to Liverpool after his loan spell came to an end.

On the other hand, it looks like Yuki Kobayashi could join Harry Kewell at Yokohama F. Marinos. And there have been suggestions that the club are open to parting ways with Gustaf Lagerbielke as well, despite signing the Swedish international last summer.

If three centre-backs do leave the club in January, signing one would not be out of the question. As reported by the Nottingham Post (via Glasgow Times), Celtic are in pole position to sign Scott McKenna. 

Celtic leading race to sign £6 million centre-back

McKenna came through the ranks at Aberdeen and played several years for them before moving to Nottingham Forest in 2020. The initial fee was believed to be around £3 million, which could rise to £6 million, a club record figure for the Dons.

McKenna was a key part of Nottingham Forest's team as well and won their Player of the Season, in the campaign in which they earned promotion to the Premier League. Lately, he has lost his place in the team though.

Also, his current deal is set to run out next summer. That means that McKenna could be available this January for a bargain transfer fee. It remains to be seen if Celtic end up making a move for the Scottish international or not.