They may not make the teams in time for Saturday’s game, but Liverpool and Celtic are both looking at new striking options.
With four new signings, plus a new deal for Steven Gerrard, Liverpool have been very active in this summer’s transfer window.
However, with the spectre of Luis Suarez leaving, Brendan Rodgers has been looking for strikers, and he told us that he was hoping to bring in more new faces.
The most rumoured target so far has been Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa. The 24-year-old striker has already been the subject of one reported bid by the Reds, in the region of £22million, but that has been rejected by the La Liga club.
The Brazilian, who scored 20 goals last season, formed a formidable front pair with Falcao last term, and with the Colombian gone, we can see why Atletico want to keep him. Still, after watching thois video, you can see why Liverpool might want him too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjBs7M5rduw
As for Celtic, the loss of Gary Hooper may be even more painful to them than any potential loss of Suarez will be to Liverpool. Celtic’s top scorer for the last three seasons joined Norwich this summer and the task of replacing him is a tricky one for Neil Lennon.
The top target so far seems to be our own Kevin Doyle. The Wolves man is certain to leave Molineux this summer as the club have admitted they can’t afford to keep the Wexford native while in League 1. According to reports a few bids have already been received from Wolves from Celtic for the Irish international, one of £500,000 and one of £750,000, and both have been rejected. Wolves value Doyle at around £2m according to today’s papers, but we wonder will Celtic be prepared to spend that much on a player who will turn 30 next month and who has never been a prolific goal scorer.
We reckon he would thrive in the SPFL, and Champions League football is a rare and important thing for a Irish international these days, so we hope the deal goes through.
