Report: Celtic now want to sign club captain who was tipped to join Liverpool in 2020

Celtic now want to sign Ugurcan Cakir – who was actually tipped to join Liverpool back in 2020.

That is according to Gunebakis in Turkey.

So, what is the situation involving Ugurcan Cakir and Celtic? Let’s take a look…

Celtic want Ugurcan Cakir

Well – according to Gunebakis – Celtic have identified the Turkey international as a potential replacement for Joe Hart.

The England international announced on Sunday that he will retire at the end of the season.

Gunebakis believe Celtic have already sent an enquiry about Cakir to Trabzonspor to find out what it would take the sign the 27-year-old.

The Trabzonspor No.1 – who captains his side – is believed to be on the shortlist of many top clubs across Europe, hence why Celtic have decided to jot him down as a potential replacement for Hart.

Gunebakis add that Trabzonspor have no intention of losing Cakir this summer, although a significant offer would tempt the Süper Lig outfit to sell.

The Antalya-born glovesman has impressed this season, keeping nine clean sheets in 26 Süper Lig appearances while conceding 30 goals.

Ugurcan Cakir was tipped to join Liverpool

Interestingly, the Celtic target was actually tipped to join Liverpool back in 2020 – it even sounded as if a deal was finalised.

It was Sadi Tekelioglu – Cakir’s old manager at Trabzonspor – who made the outlandish claim.

The 69-year-old was quoted by Takvim as saying: “Liverpool will sign Ugurcan Cakir at the end of the season. Trabzonspor will not say no to Liverpool’s offer. I met with Ugurcan. He told me that Liverpool took care of him.”

Now, a move to Anfield never actually materialised for the Turkish goalkeeper – although amid doubts over the future of Caoimhin Kelleher, he may still be on Liverpool’s shortlist of options.

Whatever happens, there is no doubt that Cakir is a goalkeeper of real quality, and he would seemingly be a tremendous choice to replace Hart at Celtic Park.