£4m Celtic deal now ‘likely’ and it could hasten exit of fringe player

Celtic have lots of work to do on the pitch before the winter break but January’s work off of it will be just as pivotal in determining the direction of the Bhoys’ season.

Manager Brendan Rodgers has already called on multiple occasions for Celtic to sign quality during the transfer window as he addresses both the size and strength of his squad for upcoming challenges.

Celtic have had ups and downs this season. Most accept that improvement is needed and that there are some deficiencies and a lack of competition in certain areas of the team.

One position that needs to be addressed is at left-back. Celtic have an overreliance on the selection of Greg Taylor – he has started every single match for the Bhoys so far this season, which isn’t really sustainable regardless of your thoughts on the player.

Not only is it a situation that causes fatigue and puts added pressure on the Scotland international in terms of physical effort, but it also breeds complacency and isn’t conducive to him performing at his best.

Celtic set to turn to Tiago Araujo

It seems that Celtic are intent on signing Tiago Araujo to help bolster the ranks and provide Taylor with that competition.

The Scottish Daily Mail [16/12 print edition] journalist Stephen McGowan reports today that a £4m deal with Estoril is ‘likely’ to happen in January, with links to the left-sided player first emerging a few weeks ago.

Araujo is playing regularly in Portugal, with 19 appearances so far this season and can operate as a left-back, or effectively a left-midfielder in a wing-back slot. He previously played for Benfica and Celtic have been actively recruiting from their development pool in recent years.

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Alexandro Bernabei looks to be on the way out

It’s easy to assume that if Araujo does indeed arrive as expected then Argentinian Alexandro Bernabei will be on his way out of the club.

The left-back is nowhere near Rodgers’ plans and has only made three substitute appearances this season. He wasn’t that fancied under Ange Postecoglou either and has made just 12 starts in total since arriving in the summer of 2022.

With the Celtic boss also calling for a reduction of numbers in his overall squad, cuts are on the way and Bernabei is one of the prime candidates to go, especially with the club targeting a new signing in his position.