Celtic begin fringe men clear-out as confirmed £3.5m transfer exit could trigger deadwood domino affect
The Scottish champions have kick-started the process of a summer squad clear-out
Celtic will attempt to clear the decks of remaining deadwood at Lennoxtown before players report back for pre-season training, according to reports.
It follows confirmation of Luis Palma’s permanent exit on Wednesday after Polish side Lech Poznan triggered a £3.5m buyout clause in the winger’s loan deal.
The Honduran international spent the entire season with Poznan, helping them clinch the Ekstraklasa title by four points. Despite having another two years left to run on his Parkhead contract, the 26-year-old expressed a desire to stay in Poland long term.
And he’s finally got his wish with Poznan tying him down on a contract until 2029 after Celtic eventually agreed to reduce their £4m asking price, having initially played hardball.
Palma scored 11 goals and provided ten assists in 46 matches for the Poles and club officials made no secret of their determination to land his signature before the clause expired next Monday.
They had been working “intensely” to strike a deal, according to sporting director Tomasz Rzasa, but were forced to play the waiting game after a string of low offers were turfed out by the Scottish champions, who claimed they had other interest in the player from La Liga outfit Sevilla.
Long-serving defender has contract terminated as ‘goodwill gesture’
Palma’s departure could kick-start a domino affect with several other fringe players expected to leave Celtic over the coming weeks. Centre-back Stephen Welsh has ‘mutually agreed’ to part ways with his boyhood club 12 months early.
Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph claims that due to his lengthy service to the club and in the wake of helping fellow Premiership side Motherwell take points off their title rivals this season, the defender’s contract has been terminated as a ‘goodwill gesture’ to allow him time to find a club where he is guaranteed more game time.
The former Scotland under-21 international is rumoured to have interest from teams in Poland and France.
Others heading for the exit door include Maik Nawrocki, whose loan move to German second-tier club Hannover 96 could be made permanent if they stump up £3m, albeit the Polish defender will be allowed to depart Glasgow regardless.
The futures of returning Japanese duo Shin Yamada and Hayato Inamura are also up in the air. Centre-forward Yamada spent the second half of the campaign at Bundesliga 2. side SC Preußen Münster, while full-back Inamura returned to his homeland with FC Tokyo.
Both players struggled to make an impact on Celtic’s first-team squad following their arrivals under Brendan Rodgers last summer and it remains to be seen if the imminent arrival of Celtic’s new manager will present them with a clean slate.
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