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Analysis
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Liverpool 'agree' Celtic deal as big Andy Robertson update drops
Tom Weber
- Updated: 14 Mar 2026 17:16 GMT
- 4 min read
News
Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign Celtic youngster Dara Jikiemi amid ongoing speculation that Andy Robertson could head in the opposite direction.
The 16-year-old defender has been on the Reds' radar for some time after impressing for Celtic's youth teams. A former Scotland U15 international, Jakiemi is now set to complete a transfer to Anfield, according to TEAMtalk.
Discussions with the teenager over an initial scholarship deal started at the turn of the year, and they have now reached a satisfactory conclusion as far as Liverpool are concerned.
Jakiemi has turned down a three-year contract at Celtic to make the move down south, where a professional deal awaits him once he turns 17 next January.
Despite interest from numerous English teams, the report states that it was ultimately a decision of staying at Celtic or joining Liverpool. The Reds' pull and long-term vision for the defender gave them the edge over the Glasgow giants.
Robertson to Celtic: The state of play
Jakiemi's decision to swap Celtic for Liverpool comes amid growing speculation that Reds legend Andy Robertson could return to Parkhead when his contract expires this summer.
A boyhood Celtic fan and former academy prospect, Robertson was in attendance when the Hoops hosted Bundesliga side Stuttgart in the Europa League last month.
In January, he was close to a move to Tottenham, but Liverpool's inability to source a replacement meant that no deal materialised. The 32-year-old has yet to make a firm decision on his future this summer.
Recent reports have suggested that Robertson is all but guaranteed to leave Liverpool after this season, but journalist Pete O'Rourke believes that the situation is not as clear-cut.
If the Scot were to express a desire to stay at the club, O'Rourke is convinced that Liverpool would keep their club legend around. "Although he’d be a free agent, it wouldn’t be a cheap deal to do because of the wages that probably Robertson’s on right now," he explained.
"It does seem that Robertson and Liverpool are willing to make a decision at the end of the season and they won’t rush into anything. It’ll be Robertson’s decision what he wants to do. I think if he wants to stay at Liverpool, a new contract will be on the table for him.
"If he wants to move on, Liverpool won’t stand in his way. Robertson, at this stage of his career, still probably wants to play at the highest level possible, so I’m sure there’ll be rival Premier League interest in Robertson’s signature."
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