Celtic midfield target says yes to record transfer as Liverpool raid confirmed

Updated: 5 Jun 2026 18:34 BST | 4 min read

Martin O'Neill, Celtic, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Tom Weber | Writer

Multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer.

Celtic have received a big transfer update, with midfield target Silas Andersen of BK Hacken choosing his next club.

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The Hoops' summer transfer window is expected to be a big one. Several big-name players are likely to leave the club and will need to be replaced. The midfield, in particular, may need a major revamp.

Top scorer Benjamin Nygren has been attracting Premier League interest, while rumours around captain Callum McGregor have been swirling for months. Arne Engels, who was already the subject of a huge bid from Nottingham Forest in January, is perhaps the most likely star to leave.

Current ETV

Silas Andersen

DM, M, D (C)

Hacken

Silas Andersen

DM, M, D (C)

Hacken

ETV Range

€1.6M - €2.4M

Unsurprisingly, then, Celtic have been scouring the midfielder market for some time. In January, Hacken star Andersen emerged as a target for the Parkhead club, with the Denmark U21 international impressing in Sweden.

Several other British clubs, including sides in England's top divisions and Old Firm rivals Rangers, were also linked with a move for the 21-year-old, but nothing materialised in the winter. The summer, though, will be a different story.

Andersen picks his next club

Andersen is ready to take the next step in his career after 18 successful months in Sweden. Having invested a sizeable €1 million in the midfielder, Hacken have been demanding a club-record fee since January - and they are now set to receive exactly that.

According to Tipsbladet and confirmed by reports in Portugal, Andersen has chosen his next club, but it's not Celtic. Instead, he is on his way to Lisbon to sign with Sporting CP.

The Portuguese giants have agreed to pay a fee of around €10 million for the midfielder, shattering Hacken's previous record of €7.25m. Negotiations between the clubs are described as having been difficult and dragging on for more than two weeks.

However, a deal has now been struck, with the transfer expected to be finalised within the next few days. Andersen will pen a five-year contract in the Portuguese capital.

Jikiemi heading to Merseyside

Another damaging Celtic blow has been delivered by young talent Dara Jikiemi, who has turned down a new contract at Parkhead, according to the Daily Record.

The 16-year-old has been fielding Premier League interest since last year, and a move to England now looks increasingly inevitable. Liverpool are believed to be the favourites to sign the teenage defender.

Newcastle and Nottingham Forest have also expressed an interest in Jikiemi. Celtic will receive some compensation for the youngster, but it is another big loss for the club's academy.

Scotland international Ben Gannon-Doak made the same move in 2022. He joined Bournemouth from Liverpool for a substantial fee of €23.2m last year.

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