According to The Express, Scottish Champions Celtic have confirmed their interest in Sporting Gijon striker Stefan Scepovic.
Since joining the Spanish club last summer, the 24 year-old has bagged an impressive 23 goals in 39 appearances, whilst Scepovic’s strike-rate remained around the one-in-two mark throughout prior spells with Hapoel Acre, Partizan and Ashdod.
Ronny Deila has revealed he wants a powerful, old-fashioned centre-forward and measuring in at 6 foot 2, the Serbia international fits the bill perfectly.
But the Bhoys boss also confirmed that he wants to make at least two more signings before the transfer window slams shut, so it’s unlikely Scepovic will be his final acquisition of the summer.
With that in mind, here’s a list of FIVE players that could soon follow the striker to Parkhead.
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MUBARAK WAKASO
Stefan Scepovic is expected to soon be followed to Parkhead, or even beaten there, by Rubin Kazan prodigy Mubarak Wakaso.
A deal to sign the 24 year-old on a year-long loan was allegedly agreed earlier this week, but it wasn’t completed before Celtic’s Champions League tie with Maribor on Wednesday and we’re still awaiting official confirmation.
The Ghana international looks a real prospect, having bagged seven goals in 19 appearances for his country and previously impressed during a one-season spell with Espanyol in La Liga.
He also once netted this sensational strike against Lazio during his Villarreal days:
//www.youtube.com/embed/MH93GaCsL4w?rel=0
As previously stated, the Wakaso deal is all-but officially announced, so expect to see the African winger donning the green and white hoops next season.
Ali Al-Habsi
With an adequate replacement for now-Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster yet to materialise, it’s been alleged that Celtic are looking at Wigan shot-stopper Ali Al-Habsi:
The 32 year-old was once an integral figure in the Wigan first team, playing a vital role in their continuous Premier League survival after joining the club in 2010.
But the former Bolton ‘keeper hasn’t seen much game-time since the DW Stadium outfit dropped into the Championship last summer, and Uwe Rosler is privy to a wide selection between the sticks, with former England international Scott Carson understudied by goalkeeping prodigy Lee Nicholls.
No doubt however, the Omani international is a talented goalkeeper. Here’s a twelve-minute compilation of his best saves for club and country:
//www.youtube.com/embed/c4nM1P-5lvE?rel=0
There seems little reason for Wigan to put up much of a fight, so Al-Habsi should be available for a nominal fee.
Anders Lindegaard
Another potential No.1 the Scottish Champions have potentially been eying is Manchester United understudy Anders Lindegaard:
The 30 year-old was once on the verge of the Red Devils first team, but he’s since been leapfrogged in emphatic fashion by Spain international David de Gea.
And the Danish international’s agent confirmed earlier this month that United have allowed him to talk to other parties to seek first team football, although there is no immediate obligation for Lindegaard to leave.
The former Aelesund star may not have seen much action since moving to Old Trafford in 2010 but he is a decent goalkeeper. Here’s a look at some of his career-best saves:
//www.youtube.com/embed/ZgZTQAbo5Tc?rel=0
It’s believed that if Celtic progress through to the Champions League, they’ll attempt to sign Lindegaard permanently, otherwise a season-long loan is the likeliest scenario.
Long-term interest from Benfica however could prove to be a stumbling block:
Kim Bo Kyung
According to the Daily Mail, Celtic are in talks to sign Cardiff City midfielder Kim Bo Kyung:
The 24 year-old was in decent form last term despite the Bluebirds plummeting out of the top flight, finding one goal in 28 Premier League appearances. Here’s a look at his stats (based on per-90-min metrics) from the campaign:
The Bhoys have been allegedly eying the South Korea international ever since summer 2012, when he eventually moved to South Wales, and Ronny Deila confirmed earlier this week that the club have reignited their interest.
And the midfielder might be keen of a change in scene after finding himself embroiled in the Malky Mackay racist-text-gate affair. Here’s a look at Kim Bo Kyung in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/4GaEe5Jsau0?rel=0
But WalesOnline speculate that the midfielder wants to stay with his current club.
May Mahlangu
Celtic are known to be one of several parties interested in the services of IFK Gothenburg star May Mahlangu:
The 25 year-old goal-scoring midfielder only joined the Swedish side in March this year after five seasons with Helsingborg, where he won the Allsvenska title and Player of the Year award in 2011.
But his contract was only for a year, and there are now three British clubs – The Bhoys, the Baggies and Brighton – allegedly battling it out for his signature.
It’s believed IFK are willing to cash-in for as little as £500k, but we are yet to see an official bid materialise.
Here’s a look at the South Africa international in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/WlGCCtYQZc0?rel=0