Following arrival of Luis Palma, will Nat Phillips & Paulo Bernardo be next in for Celtic?

With the current transfer window nearing its conclusion, and the rumours involving Celtic starting to hit fever pitch, Luis Palma tonight became the seventh new arrival through Parkhead’s gates this summer.

Even with seven new faces bolstering the squad since the return of Brendan Rodgers, there is still a strong belief among many that Celtic need multiple bodies in the door before the window slams shut. Stephen McGowan has previously reported that Celtic were looking for a left-back, a centre-back (as confirmed by Brendan Rodgers himself), a winger (Palma), and a striker.

If McGowan’s update is to be taken as gospel (and it usually is) then Palma is the first of a potential quadruple swoop, with the Honduran winger joining from Greek side Aris on a five-year deal. Before the ink has dried on Palma’s contract, we’ve already set our sights on who will be next in the door.

Here is the low-down on where Celtic are casting their eyes with the transfer window drawing to a close very soon.

Sydney van Hooijdonk

According to Anthony Joseph, Celtic have been keeping their eyes on the son of former Celt Pierre van Hooijdonk. Pierre’s son, Sydney, is currently looking for a way out of Serie A side Bologna after his old fella had a public falling-out with their manager Thiago Motta after the Italian left Sydney out of his pre-season training camp.

The striker had a successful loan spell at Eredivisie side Heerenveen last season, averaging a goal every second game, and has also attracted interest from Wolfsburg. The Celtic connection is already there with the Dutchman, however, the signing interest does not appear to be at an advanced stage.

Paulo Bernardo

Celtic are interested in acquiring the services of Benfica midfielder Paulo Bernardo on loan until the end of the season. The 21-year-old’s situation at Estadio De Luz is eerily similar to that of Jota’s a mere two years ago. Bernardo was once thought of as one of the most promising talents to come out of Benfica’s illustrious stable but minutes in the first-team have been few and far between.

Capped 16 times for a promising Portugal U-21 side, Bernardo could follow in Jota’s footsteps by arriving on a similar loan-to-buy deal that Celtic have utilised well in recent times.

Nat Phillips

Just today, Celtic were linked with Liverpool’s 26-year-old English centre-back Nat Phillips.

The defender became loved by Scousers after filling in and providing a steady option whilst Liverpool faced an injury crisis of their own, similar to the position Celtic find themselves in at the moment.

Celtic are very short for options in the centre-back position with Cameron Carter-Vickers, Maik Nawrocki and Stephen Welsh all out injured, leaving just Gustaf Lagerbielke and Liam Scales to take up the centre-back position.

Signing Phillips on a season-long loan deal would be a wise decision for Celtic with the busy schedule ahead and some vitally important fixtures spread out amongst it.

Phillips has Champions League experience having kept clean sheets against Real Madrid and RB Leipzig in his UCL appearances, but hasn’t seen regular first team football since a loan spell at Championship Bournemouth back in the 21/22 season. In saying that, he has shown that he can be called upon at any time without having any teething issues.

JAMES MCKENZIE