Celtic on hunt to grab huge summer transfer; player acknowledges ‘first talks’ about possible move – report
Celtic need to acquire a new goalkeeper during the summer transfer window, and they have identified Koen Casteels as a possible candidate.
According to the Daily Mail, the Bhoys have added the Belgium international goalkeeper to their list of potential replacements for Joe Hart, who is retiring at the end of the season.
Hart has been an important player for the Hoops throughout the years, and he will play his final professional game against Rangers on Saturday at Hampden Park in the Scottish Cup Final.
Casteels has surfaced as an alternative for Celtic, despite negotiations with Anderlecht. He is presently a free agent, and he has revealed that he has had “initial talks” with teams about his next move.
Celtic want an experienced goalkeeper.
Hart has been outstanding for Celtic, and Brendan Rodgers must find a capable substitute. Celtic will most likely seek someone with extensive experience, and Rodgers may recruit someone with Premier League experience as well, albeit this is not the only requirement.
According to a recent source, the Bhoys are interested in acquiring Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, who will soon be available as a free agent. While Celtic can provide him with consistent playing time, he may be drawn to larger teams such as Newcastle and Liverpool.
Casteels is a very accomplished goalkeeper with eight appearances for the Belgian national team. The 31-year-old has spent the most of his career in Germany, where he played for clubs such as Hoffenheim and Wolfsburg.
He made 270 appearances for Wolfsburg during a nine-year period. Following Saturday’s home defeat to Mainz, he waved an emotional farewell to the supporters and will seek other pastures.
Celtic can provide him Champions League football, which may convince him to join them instead of Anderlecht. Aside from these two, the Hoops have been connected with goalkeepers Etienne Vaessen of Waalwijk, Arijanet Muric of Burnley, Asmir Begovic of QPR, and Turkish international Ugurcan Cakir of Trabzonspor.
