Celtic want to sign former Chelsea centre-back

Celtic need to strengthen in quite a few positions this summer. One of them might be centre-back. Carl Starfelt left at the start of the campaign and while the club did bring in Gustaf Lagerbielke and Maik Nawrocki, neither was able to take the Swede's place in the team. In fact, they have barely featured and are already being linked with moves away. Cameron Carter-Vickers has constantly been dealing with fitness issues as well.

All of this has left Celtic in a weak spot defensively, one of the major reasons the club have struggled for consistency this season. And most fans believe that they need to sign a centre-back next summer.

Ideally, one would want Celtic to sign someone ready to come straight into the starting XI rather than another project player. And it looks like a former Chelsea starlet is in their sights.

As reported by The Sun, Celtic have monitored Jake Clarke-Salter's progress at QPR in recent weeks. Crystal Palace, Burnley and Wolves are keeping tabs on the in-form centre-back as well, as are Ipswich Town.

Celtic want to sign former Chelsea centre-back

Clarke-Salter came up through Chelsea's youth ranks but was never given a proper chance at the first-team level, as has been the case for so many over the years. Instead, he spent several seasons out on loan.

It was in the summer of 2022 that he finally left the Stamford Bridge outfit permanently to join QPR. It is there that Clarke-Salter has found his feet in the senior game.

There are similarities to Clarke-Salter's career journey and that of Carter-Vickers. The two could be Celtic's starting duo in the heart of defence if the Hoops are able to sign the 26-year-old from QPR in the summer. He has the potential to be a fantastic addition to this team. Let's see if a move transpires.