ALONG CAME AN IDAH
Hoops’ long search for a striker set to end with loan deal for Irish ace Adam
CELTIC are closing in on a loan deal for Norwich City striker Adam Idah.
Brendan Rodgers is looking to sign the Republic of Ireland international on-loan for the season, with an option to buy.
The Hoops have been looking to reinforce their frontline for the final title push.
Rodgers has been keen to bring in another forward to add competition to Kyogo Furuhashi, with Japan’s Daizen Maeda and South Korea’s Oh away on international duty with South Korea.
Celtic are set to beat off a string on English and European options to line up the deal.
Idah, who has 20 Ireland caps, has made 34 appearances for the Canaries in the English.
He came through the ranks at Norwich City (left) but is keen for the chance to move to Scotland for the chance to push for silverware.
Cork-born Idah has seven goals for the Canaries but is amongst the top strikers in the Championship when it comes to shooting accuracy, and xg via expected shots.
Idah made it clear to Norwich boss David Wagner that he wants to move to Scotland ahead of other English Championship and European options, including Hellas Verona.
Norwich City have been linked with a loan move for Sydney Van Hooijdonk from Bologna. The striker was put to Celtic but wasn’t taken any further.
Celtic will look to complete a deal for Idah before the deadline and are also looking to strengthen other areas, including the left-back position.
The Hoops have also been in on-going talks with Gwangju over the signing of Lee Junghyo.
Meanwhile, reports in Italy claim that Gustaf Lagerbielke’s loan to Leece has been blocked.
It is claimed that Celtic have stopped the Swedish defender’s move due to an injury to Cameron Carter-vickers.
Celtic were reportedly interested interested in Liverpool’s Owen Beck as competition for Greg Taylor but Dundee have confirmed the return of Kop left back on loan until the summer.
The 21-year-old was recalled in January after scoring twice in 20 appearances and made his Reds debut off the bench against Bournemouth on January 21.
That quashed the potential interest from Pakhead as players can only feature for two clubs in one season and Liverpool were happy to allow the Wales under-21 international to return to Tayside as fellow left-backs Kostas Tsimikas and Andy Robertson got back to fitness.
Beck told DEETV: “I am made up to be back, after the first half of the season we both had together. I just can’t wait to get back out there and perform in front of the fans again.”