It’s that time when everyone waits for the transfer window to slam shut. As far as Celtic it is going to be a triple slam, at least. There are three main deadlines that will affect the club and the arrivals and departures. That also means we start to see some clarity in the Celtic transfer deal business, at last.
First up is the window closing in England at all levels. That happens at 11 p.m. (all times here are UK-based) on Tuesday September 1st. Tonight, as this is written. That will help determine whether there is any truth in the rumours of an approach for Crystal Palace’s Justin Devenney. Although Stoke City now looks more likely for him. It should also hasten the announcement of the arrivals of keeper Sam Johnstone and young Chelsea striker Shim Mheuka.
Talking of Chelsea, a move for left back Landon Emanalo is back in the agenda again too. Perhaps the south of the border deadline will also settle the fate of a potential £3m deal for Johnny Kenny, as far as Preston, Bolton, and others are concerned. Reo Hatate also could have a focus on this timeline or the one that follows.
Moving on to Wednesday September 2 there’s an even more significant timeline. European squads need to be registered by 11 p.m. By then a number of the main European Leagues have also closed registration. Although some like Spain, Portugal, Turkey and Greece for example carry on longer.
Transfer window triple slam completes for Celtic
Anyone that Martin O'Neill sees as critical to the Europa League challenge has to be registered by that Wednesday deadline. Oliver Sorensen has just been announced, the other players above, plus the likes of Joel van den Borg, and perhaps Gvidas Gineitis from Torino need finalising by then. Italy closes at 7 pm this evening, but Torino can still sell the player after that. Back to Hatate, if he hasn't moved away he runs the risk of missing out on the Celtic Uefa squad.
The club still has until the Scottish window ends on Wednesday at 5 p.m. to register more players. Typically you might think that's when Will Ferry from Dundee United might slip in. But that's not a good move if O'Neill wants him as cover for Kieran Tierney at left back in Europe. Ferry has to be closed off sooner if a deal is happening.
Even after those deadlines there could be an out-of-contract signing arrival. Last year it was Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain taking that route. It may not be quite so necessary to leave matters that late this year, but with Celtic you never know. There will still be twists and turns, and maybe a few surprises. You never know with Celtic on transfers.
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