Celtic Reshape Attack with Høgh Signing and Maeda's Exit
The front line that fired Celtic to another title is being torn up and rebuilt on the fly.
Kasper Høgh, the powerful Danish striker who has been on Celtic’s radar since January, is closing in on a move to Glasgow after talks with Bodo/Glimt over a deal believed to be worth around £7m. The 25-year-old was left on the bench and unused on Thursday night as the Norwegian champions eased to a 3-0 win over HamKam – a selection call that only sharpened the sense that his next appearance could come in green and white.
The timing is no coincidence. As one forward edges closer, another is almost out the door.
Daizen Maeda arrived in London on Thursday to undergo a medical ahead of a £10m switch to Ipswich Town. The 28-year-old Japan international, a relentless runner and big-game performer for Celtic, is expected to have his departure confirmed on Friday, a significant sale that helps fund the next phase of Brendan Rodgers’ rebuild but leaves a sizeable hole in the attack.
Celtic cast net across Europe
Høgh is not the only name on the recruitment board. Celtic’s recruitment team have been busy across the continent, and the shortlist is growing.
Talks with Paderborn over 22-year-old midfielder Mika Baur have stalled. A £4m offer has not met the newly promoted Bundesliga club’s valuation, and Paderborn are said to be prepared to let Baur leave for free next summer rather than cash in for less than they believe he is worth now. It is a hard-line stance that tests Celtic’s resolve and budget discipline.
In Italy, eyes have turned to Lazio. Celtic hold an interest in 25-year-old forward Gustav Isaksen and 24-year-old winger Matteo Cancellieri, two versatile attacking options who would add depth and variety in the final third. Any move there would demand serious negotiation, but the profile fits: young, technical, and with resale value.
Between the posts, the search is no less aggressive. Las Palmas want more than £4.3m plus a sell-on clause for 27-year-old goalkeeper Dinko Horkas, another target linked with Celtic. The Spanish club know they hold a strong hand and are pricing accordingly.
Across the Premier League, Celtic’s midfield lynchpin Reo Hatate is also drawing admiring glances. West Ham United have the Japan international on their summer radar, alongside Rangers centre-half John Souttar and his brother Harry Souttar, the Australia and Leicester City defender. It is interest rather than a bid at this stage, but it underlines how heavily Scotland’s top performers are being scouted.
Rangers’ reshuffle gathers pace
Across the city, Rangers are busy trimming and reshaping their own squad.
Striker Danilo has touched down in Brazil and is due to undergo a medical on Friday to finalise a loan move to Botafogo. The 27-year-old’s time at Ibrox has been disrupted by injury and inconsistency; a return to his homeland offers a fresh start and frees up space in Philippe Clement’s forward department.
Rangers have also been tracking emerging talent in Europe, but they look set to miss out on one defensive prospect. AC Milan are closing in on an agreement with Troyes for 20-year-old centre-back Sankhoun Diawara, a player who had attracted interest from Rangers and Basel. When Milan arrive at the table, the landscape changes quickly, and this looks like one that will slip away from the Glasgow club.
On the outgoing side, there is a quieter, positive story. Mikey Moore, the 18-year-old winger who spent time on loan at Rangers, returned to Tottenham Hotspur and played the second half of their 1-0 friendly win over MK Dons. He described himself as “buzzing to be back” and insisted his spell in Scotland has made him a better player – a small endorsement of the development pathway on offer north of the border.
Hearts closing in on record deal as Aberdeen and Dundee United wait
The transfer churn is not confined to the Old Firm.
Heart of Midlothian are on the brink of landing 29-year-old midfielder Laurent Mendy from Forest Green Rovers in a deal that would deliver a record fee for the National League side, potentially rising close to seven figures. Manager Robbie Savage has confirmed the agreement between clubs, with the move hinging on the player’s personal terms. For Hearts, it is a statement of intent in a summer where they aim to close the gap on the Glasgow pair.
Aberdeen, meanwhile, are pushing against financial reality. Talks have begun over a move for 21-year-old centre-back Jadel Katongo from Kayserispor, according to sources in Turkey, but the numbers involved make a permanent deal extremely difficult. The England Under-20 international fits the profile Barry Robson wants at the back, yet the Dons may find themselves priced out unless a creative structure can be found.
Dundee United are also waiting on bureaucracy to catch up with ambition. The Tannadice club have lined up a loan move for 21-year-old left-back Philippe Ndinga from Philadelphia Union, but the deal is on hold until Major League Soccer gives formal sanction. For a side with promotion momentum to maintain, every day of delay feels longer.
Protecting the next gem
While United wait on one youngster, they are fighting to keep another.
Lorenzo Sassetti, who became Dundee United’s youngest ever player on Tuesday at just 15, has already attracted interest from several Serie A clubs and sides in the English top flight. Manager Jim Goodwin has promised to “fight tooth and nail” to keep the forward at Tannadice, aware that Scotland’s production line of young talent often tempts predators from richer leagues before a player has even had time to settle.
European subplots emerge
There is also an early twist to Rangers’ upcoming European campaign.
Jagiellonia Bialystok have confirmed that United States midfielder AZ Jackson has refused to return to Poland for pre-season after spending the second half of last season on loan at Vancouver Whitecaps. As a result, the 24-year-old will not feature against Rangers in Europa League qualifying. One less creative threat for Clement’s side to worry about, one more headache for the Polish club to resolve.
From multi-million pound moves at the top of the Premiership to teenagers being courted by Europe’s elite, Scotland’s summer market is crackling. The question now is simple: who will emerge from this window stronger, and who will discover that the biggest deals came at the highest price?
