Celtic and Rangers reshape squads as European transfer market activity intensifies
Scotland’s two biggest clubs are actively restructuring their playing staffs, highlighting the financial and strategic pressures shaping player movement across the European football market.
Celtic and Rangers are navigating a complex summer transfer window, with multiple players positioned for exits and new targets identified to reinforce their respective squads. This activity underscores a period of significant roster turnover for the Scottish Premiership’s dominant forces.
Celtic are preparing to formalize interest in 27-year-old right-back Alistair Johnston. This move comes as Everton seek defensive reinforcements, with their current Scotland international Nathan Patterson drawing strong attention from clubs in Germany, Italy, and Spain.
In midfield, 22-year-old Mika Baur has reportedly agreed to personal terms with Celtic and informed his current club, Paderborn, of his desire to move. This follows reports that the German side inaccurately cited illness for his recent absence from a friendly match.
Meanwhile, 28-year-old left-back Marcelo Saracchi is poised to join Houston Dynamo following his loan spell from Boca Juniors. Celtic also missed out on 26-year-old Atalanta wing-back Mitchel Bakker, who is instead close to finalizing a transfer to Marseille.
At Rangers, the club has publicly outlined a transfer strategy prioritizing "leadership," "character," "mentality," and a "familiarity with Scottish football." This approach accompanies a wave of expected departures from Ibrox as the window progresses.
Twenty-seven-year-old Albania winger Nedim Bajrami is expected to leave in the coming days, with a return to Italian football considered the most likely outcome. Additionally, 29-year-old Scotland centre-half John Souttar is certain to depart after four years, with Leicester City and Swansea City leading the race for his signature.
Rangers face complications in offloading 27-year-old midfielder Jose Cifuentes, who recently underwent surgery, potentially preventing a move before the summer window closes. Conversely, 20-year-old midfielder Paul Nsio has agreed to a loan move to St Mirren, disappointing Raith Rovers, and will not sign a new contract at Ibrox.
To support their recruitment drive, Rangers have appointed former Brentford lead scout Mick Priest as a first-team scout. The club also faces competition from Hull City for 20-year-old Tromso midfielder Jens Hjerto-Dahl, while League One side Luton Town has held talks for 23-year-old winger Ross McCausland.
The ripple effects of this activity extend across the broader European market. Trabzonspor is preparing a one-season loan bid with an £8.6m purchase option for 28-year-old Besiktas winger Vaclav Cerny, who previously spent a year on loan at Rangers.
