Celtic 'pushing hard' to sign 'exceptional' EFL transfer target before transfer deadline

Celtic have ‘submitted’ a £5million bid for Sheffield United defender Auston Trusty, according to Football Insider. The report claims the Hoops are ‘pushing hard’ to land the centre-back before the end of the transfer window.

Trusty, who is 26-years-old, is under contract at Bramall Lane until 2027 meaning the Blades are under no pressure to sell him this summer and can wait for the right offer to come in for his signature. Chris Wilder’s side were relegated from the Premier League last season after finishing in the bottom three along with Luton Town and Burnley and are eyeing an immediate promotion back to the top flight.

The Hoops could see the USA international as someone to bolster their central defensive area after Gustaf Lagerbielke and Yuki Kobayashi left the club. The Parkhead club won the league again last season ahead of rivals Rangers and will be aiming to do the same again this time around.

Trusty moved over to England in 2022 in a surprise move having previously been at Philadelphia Union and Colorado Rapids. At the time, even he admitted he was shocked at the switch to the Emirates Stadium and said: ‘Honored, excited and grateful to be joining Arsenal. Growing up in Media, PA, the thought of joining such a prestigious club seemed crazy. Today that crazy dream became a reality. “Thank you to the entire Colorado Rapids organization and a huge thank you to my coaches and support staff for helping me grow these last two years on and off the field. I would also like to thank my agents Duncan and Ryan for working on this deal. The work is nowhere near finished but I am incredibly excited for what’s to come in the future!”

Colorado’s Executive VP & General Manager Padraig Smith said: “Auston is coming off an exceptional season in 2021 in which he played a vital role in helping us finish atop the Western Conference for the first time in our history. We remain committed to bringing through the top young players from Colorado and across the United States and to providing them with a platform to flourish, achieve success in MLS and earn the chance to make a move to Europe.

“Auston’s outstanding performances caught the eye of several European clubs over the past 12 months and we are privileged to be part of an organisation with the reach and scale of KSE that allows us to help a player of Auston’s potential further his development and career aspirations in Europe.”

Celtic-linked Trusty never made a senior appearance for Arsenal though. He was loaned to Colorado and Birmingham City to get some game time under his belt.

Sheffield United snapped him up permanently last year and he played 34 games last term as they slipped out of the top flight. He has featured for them twice so far this season but is wanted by the Hoops between now and the deadline on Friday. It remains to be seen at this stage whether the Glasgow outfit will be able to get him.