Celtic is actively pursuing late transfer window signings, aiming to secure midfielders Oliver Sorensen and Joel van den Berg before the looming deadlines. The club faces pressure to strengthen its squad following several high-profile departures and a sixth consecutive failure in Champions League qualifying.
While the Scottish transfer deadline is set for 5 p.m. on Thursday, Celtic must register players for the Europa League by 11 p.m. the night before. This compressed timeline adds urgency to their pursuit of new talent.
The Parkhead club has only signed four players this summer: strikers Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran, winger Haissem Hassan, and midfielder Mika Baur. This tally is fewer than any other SPFL club.
Key players like Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels have been sold, goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel is out with a career-ending injury, and forward Kelechi Iheanacho's contract was not extended. Additionally, six players on loan have departed, and midfielder Paulo Bernardo and winger Michel Ange-Balikwisha have been loaned out.
Compounding these issues, right-back Alistair Johnston is expected to be sidelined with a hamstring injury until October, and there are fitness concerns surrounding Hogh, Kieran Tierney, and Callum Osmand. These circumstances have intensified the need for reinforcements.
Oliver Sorensen, a midfielder from Parma, is a reported target, with initial reports suggesting a season-long loan deal that includes an option to buy. Sorensen, a former Denmark Under-21 international, previously made over 100 appearances for Midtjylland and has played 34 Serie A matches for Parma.
Midfielder Joel van den Berg from PSV Eindhoven is also being pursued. Van den Berg, 19, has captained the Netherlands at the under-age level but has made limited first-team appearances for PSV. A transfer fee of around £3 million is reportedly being discussed.
In addition to midfield reinforcements, Celtic is also reportedly interested in left-back Niels Nkounkou. Reports indicate the club is competing with Nice for the loan signing of the Eintracht Frankfurt player. Nkounkou, 25, has previous experience with Everton and spent last season on loan at Torino.
Celtic had previously explored a loan deal for Chelsea left-back Landon Emenalo, but the move was contingent on the 18-year-old recovering from an injury. Midfielder Reo Hatate is also expected to leave Celtic before the transfer deadline, having fallen out of favor with manager Martin O'Neill.