Celtic have been backed to explore a move for a former Manchester United player who is currently without a club, as the Hoops scramble to strengthen late in the winter transfer window.
With just a couple of weeks remaining before the window shuts, Celtic once again find themselves under pressure to get business done. Reinforcements are urgently required, particularly in attack, while additions at centre-back and on the wings would also be welcome.
Whether the club can address all those areas in such a short time remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that urgency and ambition will be needed if Celtic are to land the right players before the deadline.
Several wingers have been linked with a move to Parkhead in recent days. Jesurun Rak-Sakyi is one of the names mentioned, although a significant gap is believed to exist between Celtic’s valuation and what Crystal Palace would demand to sanction a deal this month.
Jesse Lingard option floated
According to The Herald, former Celtic winger Pat Nevin has suggested that Jesse Lingard could be a name worth considering. Speaking to BoyleSports, Nevin acknowledged both the potential upside and the risks involved in such a move.
Nevin pointed out that Celtic have previously recruited successfully from leagues outside Europe and would not view them as inferior. However, he also questioned Lingard’s recent consistency, noting that his standout loan spell at West Ham was more of an exception than the norm in recent years.
Concerns were also raised over Lingard’s injury record, time spent on the bench, and the wages a high-profile free agent would likely command. Nevin described the move as a gamble, though suggested a short-term deal — possibly until Jota returns — could make some sense.
For now, it remains unclear whether Celtic will seriously pursue Lingard before the window closes. While he is no longer playing at the top level in Europe, his spell in South Korea showed he still has something to offer.
On a short-term, low-risk contract, a move for the free agent may not be the worst option available — but it would certainly come with its share of questions.