Offers expected for Celtic squad player in wake of Wednesday decision

Italian clubs are set to intensify their pursuit of Celtic defender Stephen Welsh, according to a report by The Daily Record on July 27.

The long-standing interest from Italian teams, including Hellas Verona and Udinese, has been hindered in the past due to the non-EU player limit in Serie A.

However, the Italian Football Association has now taken the decision to relax the rules surrounding signings of UK and Swiss citizens in the league.

This move effectively eliminates the previous two-man quota for each team, treating players from the UK and Switzerland the same as EU-designated talents.

With this new development, official offers are expected to be presented to Celtic as clubs eye the opportunity to sign Stephen Welsh.

While the defender waits for a decision from Brendan Rodgers on his future with the Bhoys, he remains contracted to the club until 2025.

Within the current setup at Celtic, it appears challenging for Welsh to find a prominent role in the first-team plans.

Both Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt are ahead of him in the pecking order, and new signing Maik Nawrocki is also expected to receive more playing time than the Academy graduate. Additionally, Yuki Kobayashi’s presence adds to the competition for a spot in the lineup.

Given the circumstances, a potential exit from Celtic may be the best option for Welsh to secure regular playing time.

As a player developed by the club, he does fulfill the criteria of being an available backup option and also meets the UEFA Champions League homegrown requirements, which could be a crucial consideration.

It now appears that Celtic must make a decision regarding Welsh’s future this summer, with various teams ready to make their move for the defender.

Having made 52 appearances across all competitions, Welsh finds himself at a crucial juncture in his Bhoys career. The next step will likely shape his professional trajectory significantly.