With the January transfer window at the halfway stage, fears are beginning to creep in that it could be another period of frustration for Celtic, amid the lack of incomings thus far.
Former boss Brendan Rodgers was evidently perturbed by the lack of investment over the summer, having had to get the phonebook out to sign a new striker after deadline day, following the late sale of Adam Idah.
A new centre-forward remains the hot topic at present, amid links to the likes of Kieron Bowie and Callum Wilson, although there are other areas to strengthen, having thus far only acquired Bournemouth full-back Julian Araujo on loan.
Interim boss Martin O’Neill has repeatedly stated that work is going on behind the scenes, with the 73-year-old admitting that he has ‘discarded’ certain targets put in front of him. Some of Wilfried Nancy’s picks, you could assume?
The self-inflicted managerial chaos has certainly made life more difficult for the Parkhead hierarchy this month, although with time running out, signings need to start being settled on.
Celtic readying offer to sign Bundesliga starlet
As stated above, all the talk has been centred around acquiring a proven number nine this month, with Leeds United’s Joel Piroe another name doing the rounds right now.
It would be foolish to only be looking at the top end of the pitch, however, with the centre-back ranks still somewhat depleted, following Cameron Carter-Vickers’ injury blow late last year.
A left-footed pairing of Auston Trusty and Liam Scales doesn’t appear sustainable, and while Stephen Welsh has returned from his loan spell at Motherwell as cover, further reinforcements are still needed.
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With that in mind, Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph has revealed that Celtic are readying a loan offer for Eintracht Frankfurt centre-back, Aurele Amenda.
Joseph outlines that the Bundesliga side are awaiting a bit for the 22-year-old, prior to making any decision on his future, with the player himself said to be keen to leave this month.
The four-cap Swiss international has been in Germany since the summer of 2024, after signing from Young Boys.
Why Amenda could be another Engels for Celtic
A deal for Amenda would see Celtic dip into the Bundesliga market once again, having plucked Arne Engels from FC Augsburg in the summer of 2024.
Similarly to Amenda, Engels had made the move to Germany from his native Belgium, having himself spent just 18 months at Augsburg after his arrival from Club Brugge.
The merits of forking out a club-record fee of £11m on the promising midfielder are up for debate, although still only 22, he has established himself as a key figure in Glasgow, alongside Callum McGregor.
In all, the midfield talent has chipped in with 32 goals and assists in 85 total games for the Hoops, registering a solid return of four goals and five assists this season, despite the club’s collective woes.
While any player would be hamstrung by the transfer fee, Engels has settled in nicely following his Bundesliga switch. Can Amenda now do the same?
A towering presence at 6 foot 6, the young centre-back could help to solve what has long been a problem position at Celtic, with the defensive unit enduring so much upheaval in recent years.
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There’s been Gustav Lagerbielke, Maik Nawrocki, Nat Phillips and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, among others, but Amenda could be the cream of the crop, hailed as a “physical monster” of a defender by analyst and Como scout Ben Mattinson.
Celtic recent CB signings
Player
Games played
Inamura
1
Simpson-Pusey
1
Trusty
59
Nawrocki
18
Lagerbielke
10
Phillips
8
Stats via Transfermarkt
According to Mattinson too, he has “mentality and leadership” beyond his age, with those traits no doubt shared by Engels, having been praised for his “temperament” by teammate McGregor.
Currently in the early phase of his senior international career, as Engels now is too, Amenda could well benefit from a change of scenery at club level, after featuring just 25 times for Frankfurt to date.
That lack of action might be of concern to Celtic, but with 58 outings for Young Boys under his belt, the talent is there to see, with now the time to take a gamble on him, like the Glasgow side did with Engels.
With Carter-Vickers set to be out for the season too, the chance is there for the Swiss sensation to swiftly cement a regular role for himself under O’Neill.
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