Wolves player gets Celtic transfer approval on one condition – report

Daniel Podence has been handed a seal of approval to get his move to Celtic off the ground, but that there is a transfer hurdle for the champions to overcome.

The 27-year-old Wolves winger has been reportedly named as a target for Brendan Rodgers as he looks to add Premier League firepower to his squad ahead of a Champions League assault, but the Hoops may have to stump up around £12million for the winger.

The Portuguese could be in line to fill the void left by fellow countryman Jota who took the decision to up sticks to Saudi Arabia in a move that banked the Parkhead outfit a whopping £25million.

Rodgers has five in the building already, with new winger Marco Tilio from Melbourne City hampered in the infancy stages of his Celtic stint by injury.

But impressive Podence is in the final year of his Molineux deal and the Wolves powerbrokers are looking to seal big transfers for the likes of Nico Elvedi from Borussia Monchengladbach but need to free up funds.

It remains to be seen how Celtic could provide a solution over valuation on the attacker, but former Hoops star Peter Grant reckons there is another option at Rodgers’ disposal.

He believes a loan deal would be best for both parties, but admits he is ‘surprised’ the champions are being linked with a swoop. He told Go Radio: “I really like him, I’ve seen him as a very attack-minded player but with great power and fantastic legs…I’ve seen him in some fantastic games in the Premier League, with a player of that quality, I’m surprised that he’s been linked with moving up here.

“I don’t know what his finances would be at Wolves, how much it would cost you, maybe a loan deal would be the best way to look at that one and see how it works out. There’s no doubt about his quality and he can score a goal as well. Celtic’s business plan has been excellent, they’ve got money for Jota they didn’t expect – or probably didn’t want – but once you get an offer like that you can’t knock it.”

Celtic: Exciting transfer move is “far down the road” at Parkhead

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers is now close to finalising his sixth summer signing of the transfer window, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Under the stewardship of an experienced manager in Rodgers, Celtic have started the campaign in bullish fashion, recording a 4-2 victory over Ross County on the opening day that was swiftly followed up by a 3-1 triumph away to Aberdeen last weekend, as per Sky Sports.

Next up for the Hoops is a trip to Rugby Park to face Kilmarnock as their defence of the Viaplay Cup begins as Celtic aim to build on their treble-winning success from last term.

Five new signings have come through the door at Parkhead to help with their congested fixture load that will include both domestic and European competition endeavours in the form of Odin Thiago Holm, Maik Nawrocki, Yang Hyun-jun, Kwon Hyeok-kyu and Marco Tilio, as per Transfermarkt.

Rodgers has already begun to reap the rewards of securing new young talent. Yang contributed with an assist to kill Aberdeen off at Pittodrie, Nawrocki has started both Scottish Premiership matches and looked comfortable, while Norwegian midfielder Holm has provided composure in the engine room in his brief cameo appearances.

In conversation with Sky Sports via Football Scotland, Celtic manager Rodgers confirmed that he is close to adding a replacement to the fold for central defender Carl Starfelt, who has recently left the Glasgow giants to join Celta Vigo.

The man in question is Elfsborg defender Gustaf Lagerbielke, who has jetted into Scotland to complete a medical ahead of a move to Celtic for a fee in the region of £3 million.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, transfer insider Jones has indicated that he would be surprised if Lagerbielke’s proposed move to Celtic were to fall at the final hurdle.

Jones stated: “It does look like that this one is in the offing right now, and I’d be surprised if it fell apart at this stage to be honest, it seems like it’s too far down the road. It’s a good sign, and he will help Celtic win back possession, he’ll intercept key balls well, and he’ll also turn defence into attack with his quick passes that can change play very rapidly for Celtic.

“So, I think that that will be really interesting. This is a club that have had their Swedish heroes in the past. And while I don’t think he will have the same impact as the likes of Henrik Larsson, he could still be a very influential player if this team is going to continue to win trophies.”

Celtic look to be in the market for a few new arrivals before the window closes to provide squad depth to tackle the challenge of competing in the Champions League.

According to Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph, Celtic are keen on Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Daniel Podence, as he stated on Twitter X: “Celtic are keen on Wolves winger Daniel Podence. He has one year left on his contract & wasn’t included in the squad last night. Wolves want around £12m, but it’s understood Celtic see room for negotiation, if they make an approach.”

Newcastle United outcast Ryan Fraser is another target for the Hoops this summer and it is believed that a ‘formal approach’ is being readied for the Scotland international, as per The Northern Echo.

Mailplus report that Celtic are weighing up a move for Nantes left-back Quentin Merlin and have scouted the youngster several times, though he could cost in the region of £7 million.