Hoops hope to land a big name in the window
Celtic are pondering whether to roll the dice in their pursuit of the Treble Treble.
With Leigh Griffiths on leave to deal with personal problems, and Moussa Dembele still not replaced, the Hoops have told agents they are looking to sign two strikers in the transfer window.
And while they have not moved away from their usual strategy of looking to buy young players who can be developed and sold on for profit –with Dembele a perfect example – they are also giving serious thought to recruiting an experienced hand.
That would be an intriguing move as it would bring into play the likes of former England stars, Jermain Defoe and Andy Carroll.
Celtic had a look at Defoe in the summer, at which point he was being heavily linked with Rangers, but decided against pursuing their interest.
Now 36, Defoe has been struggling for game time with the Cherries, and hinted at the start of the month he would be open to a loan deal in the January transfer window.
While he would look the ideal type to help Odsonne Edouard – the 20-year-old record signing who will return from injury this week – wages would be a significant factor.
Bournemouth have been reported as paying him six figures a week, which is three or four times more than is being picked up by any player in Scotland.
They might, of course, be prepared to pay a fair chunk of that sum, as Manchester City did with Patrick Roberts the first time they loaned him to the Hoops.
However, with Defoe very much a known option, and Sheffield United also reportedly keen, the Cherries could also choose to ask for anyone taking their player to cover the whole amount.
The latter stance would force the Celtic Board to decide whether to make a special exception to their wage structure.
Another option is West Ham’s Andy Carroll, who has been linked with Celtic in the past.
He has had a succession of injury problems since joining the Hammers, but now fit, he’s struggling for a game and was on the bench for yesterday;s visit of Watford.
Reports from Turkey suggested a deal had been done to take him to Galatasaray, but to date that hasn’t been confirmed.