Celtic summer transfer window plans are continuing over the next few weeks as the Hoops aim to be better prepared for next season than they were this season.
Brendan Rodgers looked to be coming to Celtic armed with a £30million war chest to spend on high-profile, big-money additions, much like he did in his first season of his first tenure, but the business conducted by Celtic this season was far from it as they splashed out a £2-3million fees on a number of project players, most of which have failed to make a real impact on the first team.
Add on to this the need and failure to adequately replace key first-team players who had departed in the summer such as Jota and Carl Starfelt, it only emphasises how poor Celtic's business was this season and how important it is that the club get things right next season.
Mark Lawwell lost his place as Head of Recruitment as a result of a number of poor windows, and it looks like Brendan Rodgers may be having a bit more of a say with regards to transfers.
He claims to have rubber stamped every signing made this season, but the game time being afforded to the new signings this season paints a completely different picture, and the recent rumours focused on English Championship talents hints at Brendan Rodgers taking a more hands on approach.
His history in English football means he has a deep-rooted knowledge of the game down south, and following rumours linking Celtic with Coventry City's Callum O'Hare and Blackburn Rovers' Sammie Szmodics, Jake Clarke-Salter of Queens Park Rangers is the latest to be linked with the club, with another update also appearing with regards to Szmodics's future.
Jake Clarke-Salter
Football Scotland is reporting that Celtic have been monitoring the progress of QPR's English centre-back Jake Clarke-Salter, with the club reportedly sending out initial enquiries to the Championship side for more information on a potential fee as well as his playing expectations.
Under contract until 2026, Clarke-Salter has been a key player for QPR this season as they attempt to stave off relegation, which they are currently looking like they will be successful in doing.
A promising player in his early years, Clarke-Salter hasn't quite lived up to the expectations that were set for him as a youth starlet for Chelsea and England youth teams, with John Terry even tipping him to replace him as Chelsea captain one day, but Brendan Rodgers may have crossed paths with a young Clarke-Salter in his time working with the Chelsea youth setup.
Sammie Szmodics Update
Reports are indicating that Celtic could be priced out of a move for Blackburn Rovers forward Sammie Szmodics.
The recently capped Irish international is having the best season of his career currently as he continues to fire in the goals in the English Championship, and reports last week indicated that Celtic were amongst the favourites for his signature.
However, Premier League clubs such as Fulham are joining the chase for Szmodics, and Celtic will struggle to compete with the riches that are on offer down south.
James McKenzie // @JamesWHMcKenzie