Celtic now eyeing ambitious move to sign £10.5m Bundesliga star after Cvancara

Celtic are continuing to explore options in the transfer market as they push to strengthen their squad before the January window closes, with reports suggesting the club are now tracking RB Leipzig midfielder Xaver Schlager following progress on a deal for Tomas Cvancara.

According to German outlet 4-4-2, the Scottish champions have identified Schlager as a potential addition as they look to reinforce their midfield ahead of a decisive phase of the season. Celtic’s recruitment drive has gathered momentum in recent days, driven by the desire to reel in Hearts at the top of the Scottish Premiership and build a squad capable of sustaining a title challenge.

So far, Celtic’s January business has been relatively quiet in terms of confirmed arrivals. Julian Araujo remains the only player officially through the door, having joined on loan from Bournemouth. However, the Hoops have also reached an agreement with Borussia Mönchengladbach to bring Czech striker Tomas Cvancara to Glasgow on a loan deal until the end of the campaign, with an option to make the move permanent in the summer. With that deal edging closer, attention may now shift to strengthening other areas of the pitch before the February 2 deadline.

Uncertain future for Schlager at Leipzig

Schlager’s situation at RB Leipzig has sparked interest from several clubs across Europe. The Austria international, who has earned 49 caps for his country, is entering the final months of his contract, which is due to expire at the end of the season. Leipzig signed him from Wolfsburg in 2022 for a fee of around €12 million (£10.5m), but there has been little progress on extending his stay at the Red Bull Arena.

As a result, the 28-year-old could be set to leave on a free transfer in the summer, making him an attractive option for clubs seeking a proven midfielder without a significant transfer fee. Reports suggest that Leipzig may even be open to selling Schlager during the current window for a reduced price of around £4 million, rather than risk losing him for nothing.

Schlager has found opportunities harder to come by this season, featuring in 13 Bundesliga matches and scoring twice during the 2025–26 campaign. Despite his reduced role, his experience at both club and international level continues to make him a sought-after figure. Italian heavyweights Juventus and Roma have both been credited with an interest, underlining the level of competition Celtic could face should they pursue a deal.

Arne Engels connection adds intrigue

Adding another layer to the situation is reported interest from Leipzig in Celtic midfielder Arne Engels. According to 4-4-2, the Bundesliga club are monitoring Engels as a possible replacement for Schlager, should the Austrian depart either now or in the summer.

Celtic broke their transfer record in 2024 to sign Engels for £11 million, and while the Belgian has delivered solid numbers—registering 14 goals and 18 assists across 85 appearances—debate continues among supporters about whether he has fully justified his price tag. If Leipzig were to formalise their interest, Celtic would likely demand a substantial fee to recoup a significant portion of their original outlay.

The potential overlap between Schlager and Engels could open the door to creative negotiations, whether through separate deals or a broader reshaping of both clubs’ midfields. However, any decision to part with Engels would be a major call for Celtic, particularly given the timing and the club’s ambitions for the remainder of the season.

Forward line still under review

While Cvancara’s arrival would address one area of need, Celtic are not expected to halt their search for attacking reinforcements. The club have been linked with a host of strikers throughout the window as they seek to add goals and depth to the squad.

Chelsea’s David Datro Fofana and Lorient forward Mohamed Bamba are among the names most frequently mentioned in recent reports. Both players fit the profile of attackers who could bolster Celtic’s options, either immediately or as part of a longer-term strategy.

Leeds United striker Joel Piroe has also emerged as a potential target. It is understood that Celtic have held discussions regarding the Dutch forward, who would be open to a move to Celtic Park if an agreement could be reached between the clubs. However, Piroe is not actively pushing for an exit from Elland Road, and the situation is complicated by Leeds’ ownership structure, with the 49ers group also in control at Rangers. That connection makes any deal between the clubs far from straightforward.

Busy final weeks expected

With just days remaining in the transfer window, Celtic are expected to remain active as they attempt to address key areas of the squad. Securing Cvancara would represent a significant step, but the potential interest in Schlager highlights the club’s intention to look beyond the forward line and strengthen in midfield as well.

Whether Celtic can navigate competition from Europe’s top leagues, balance their own outgoing interest, and complete further deals in time remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the Hoops are preparing for a decisive end to the window as they aim to give themselves the best possible platform for success in the second half of the season.

Celtic eye shock free transfer swoop for Liverpool ace

Celtic are reportedly monitoring Andy Robertson’s contract situation at Liverpool as speculation grows that the Scotland international could become available on a free transfer at the end of the season.

The 31-year-old left-back is approaching the final months of his deal at Anfield, and there is increasing belief within football circles that Liverpool may allow him to depart without a fee once his contract expires. While the Premier League giants have not completely ruled out the possibility of offering new terms, uncertainty remains over whether an extension will be agreed.

Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown has suggested that Celtic would be keen to explore a move should Robertson become available, although they are unlikely to be alone in the race for his signature. Speaking to Football Insider, Brown claimed that Martin O’Neill’s side would “love” to bring the defender to Parkhead, but warned that interest from clubs across Europe could complicate any potential deal.

Robertson, who has been a key figure for Liverpool since joining from Hull City in 2017, is thought to be considering a fresh challenge away from the Premier League as he enters the latter stages of his career. Several European sides are understood to be keeping close tabs on his situation, with the prospect of signing a proven international performer on a free transfer proving particularly attractive.

Interest in the full-back is not new. Atletico Madrid were strongly linked with a move for Robertson during the summer transfer window, but negotiations failed to progress before the deadline passed. Despite that, the Spanish giants are believed to remain admirers, while other clubs across the continent are also monitoring developments.

Football Insider reported in late October that Liverpool had yet to reach an agreement with Robertson over a contract extension, although there was still hope at the club that fresh terms could be finalised. However, the emergence of Milos Kerkez as a preferred option at left-back has fuelled speculation that Liverpool are preparing for life beyond Robertson, with many expecting the club to move in a new direction.

Brown believes the signs point towards an exit from Anfield, suggesting Liverpool may feel the time is right to part ways after years of outstanding service. He explained that the club appear to have enjoyed the best years of Robertson’s career and are now planning for the future, with Kerkez viewed as a long-term solution in the position.

The former scout also suggested that a return to Scotland could appeal to Robertson at this stage of his career. Having started his professional journey north of the border before moving to England, the chance to play at home again, particularly for a club competing regularly for trophies, could be an attractive proposition.

According to Brown, Robertson would be an excellent fit for Celtic, both in terms of quality and experience. While left-back is not currently seen as a priority position for the Hoops, the opportunity to sign a player of Robertson’s calibre on a free transfer would be difficult to ignore. His leadership, winning mentality and consistency at the highest level could prove invaluable, particularly in European competition.

However, any move would not be straightforward. Brown warned that Celtic would face stiff competition from other clubs, especially those in Europe who could offer different challenges and potentially higher wages. Despite that, he believes Robertson would thrive back in Scotland and could be tempted by the idea of returning to his home country to close out his career.

Elsewhere, Martin O’Neill is hoping for a busy conclusion to the January transfer window as Celtic look to strengthen their squad in key areas. So far, the club have completed just one signing this month, despite the interim manager’s desire to add more depth and quality as they push for another SPFL title.

Reports earlier in January suggested O’Neill is particularly keen to bring in a new striker and a centre-back before the window shuts, with both positions identified as areas of concern. Injuries to key players such as Kelechi Iheanacho and Cameron Carter-Vickers have only increased the urgency, forcing the club to explore potential replacements.

Sources close to the situation claim Celtic are working intensively behind the scenes to identify suitable targets, with the aim of adding “top-class” reinforcements before the end of the month. Although progress has been slower than hoped, there is optimism that O’Neill will receive backing from the club hierarchy in the final weeks of the window.

Against that backdrop, the possibility of a future move for Andy Robertson adds another intriguing layer to Celtic’s long-term planning. While any deal would likely be one for the summer rather than January, the prospect of bringing a high-profile Scotland international back to the SPFL is already generating significant interest and debate among supporters.