Despite claims of interest from Celtic it seems that Fabio Silva will be heading across the city to Ibrox according to a tweet from Fabrizio Romano.
With Daizen Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi expected to join Oh Hyeon Gyu at the Asian Cup there is the prospect of Celtic players involved in the February 10 final with South Korea v Japan the nightmare outcome for Brendan Rodgers.
Home matches against Buckie Thistle and Ross County shouldn’t be impacted too badly but away games at Aberdeen on February 4 and three days later at Hibs will certainly provide significant tests.
Silva spent time on loan at Anderlecht and PSV Eindhoven last season, his decision to stay at Wolves this season hasn’t paid off with a January move needed if he is to be involved in the European Championships in Germany.
When Romano tweets there tends to be substance to a story, the Italian doesn’t have a 100% record but he does have a superior hit rate compared to any other transfer specialist.
🚨🔵 Fábio Silva to Rangers, here we go! Deal in place between Scottish club and Wolves — agreement reached on loan until June.
Portuguese striker will sign the contract soon. 🏴
Clement and Koppen, crucial to make it happen.
There will be NO buy option clause included. pic.twitter.com/PxA3ZgdCKf
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 28, 2023
Injuries to Danilo and Kemar Roofe has left Philippe Clement with Cyriel Dessers as his only available striking option. After a dubious start the former Cremonese striker has recently looked in better form highlighted by a goal away from home against Real Betis in the Europa League.
While Asia is the problem for Celtic the African Cup of Nations presents an issue for Clement with Dessers and Abdallah Sima expected to be involved.
After an underwhelming transfer window during the summer the pressure is on Mark Lawwell to deliver first team ready players for Brendan Rodgers next month.
Two years ago Ange Postecoglou was able to announce the signings of Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate and Yosuke Ideguchi on January 31. This year Alistair Johnstone made his debut at Ibrox on January 2 after three weeks training following his move from Montreal.
It seems highly unlikely that there are deals already done and dusted for players to move to Celtic which will intensify the pressure on the Recruitment Team to get transfers completed.
Brondby striker Mathias Kvistgaarden was reported to have been a summer target but despite a modest season to date it seems that is club could be looking for £9m or more to do business in January.
Liel Abada seems the most likely of the current Celtic players to step in as an emergency striker but having been out injured since the start of September even that option isn’t guaranteed.
It is shaping up as an anxious peruod for Celtic fans with Romano’s tweets sure to be eagerly awaited for incoming business to the hoops.
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