Celtic near ‘multimillion dollar’ striker deal as Scottish giants react to Champions League exit

Robin Bairner

Updated: 28 Aug 2025 05:40 CDT
2 min read

Scottish champions Celtic are close to completing a ‘multimillion’ dollar deal for a striker as the dust settles in the East End of Glasgow following the shock exit from the Champions League at the hands of Kairat Almaty.

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Without the guaranteed millions that playing in Europe’s top competition brings, Celtic are eyeing the sale of striker Adam Idah, who has struggled to impress since arriving at the club from Norwich for a $11.55 million fee.

The Scottish Sun claims that Championship side Swansea City are targeting the Ireland international star and are “closing in” on the signing of the 24-year-old, who has failed to net in any of the four matches he has played this term.

Indeed, his last act for the club may be missing a penalty in the shootout in Almaty as Brendan Rodgers’ side collapsed to a 3-2 loss on spot kicks.

Idah’s sale would seem to signal a shift that will see Daizen Maeda deployed as a centre-forward on a more regular basis.

In return, Celtic are closing in on a move for Royal Antwerp winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Boca Juniors left-back Marcelo Saracchi.

Celtic’s summer transfer policy in focus

Celtic’s transfer policy this summer has been the subject of intense criticism from fans, who targeted their anger at the board during the scoreless first-leg Champions League clash against Kairat.

Only $4m has been spent reinforcing the squad this summer, despite sales of $27m being made. And that’s before taking into account the additional money generated by a sell-on clause the Hoops possessed as Jeremie Frimpong left Bayer Leverkusen for Liverpool.

This slow progress in the market combined with Celtic’s surprise exit from the Champions League has led to speculation over the future of Brendan Rodgers, who is being courted by teams in the Premier League.

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