EFL Championship side want Celtic linked striker amid £3m transfer fee discussion
The latest Celtic transfer news with Preston North End reportedly joining the Hoops in the race to sign a Plymouth Argyle forward.
The summer transfer window is open and clubs across the country have already started making moves to strengthen their first team squads.
With Celtic having secured head coach Martin O’Neill on a new contract their supporters will be hoping the club can now focus on bringing in new faces for the playing squad. The Hoops have already been linked with a number of players while some current stars at the Scottish champions are rumoured to be heading for the exit door.
One player who the Glasgow outfit have previously been credited with an interest in is now gathering even more suitors ahead of the 2026/27 season. It looks like Celtic could be in for a transfer battle if they do decide to make a move for the forward.
Preston North End join Celtic on list of clubs linked with £3m valued centre forward
According to the Lancashire Evening Post, there is growing transfer interest in Plymouth Argyle striker Lorent Tolaj with Preston North End said to be ‘admirers’ of the 24-year-old. It comes after Celtic, along with several other clubs, had previously been credited with a desire to capture his signature.
The Swiss striker signed for Plymoith last summer after a spell further down the English Football Leagues with Aldershot and Port Vale. Prior to that he had been on the books at Brighton & Hove Albion and had spent time on loan at Cambridge United and Salford City.
The former FC Sion youth player even had a short stint at Dundee but managed just two appearances for the Dark Blues in 2023. His recent transfer interest comes after an impressive season with Argyle where he scored 18 goals in all competitions.
However, that wasn’t enough to help the Pilgrims gain promotion to the EFL Championship and they finished eighth in League One and missed out on a spot in the play-offs. That means the forward may very well seek to move on to bigger and better things and could be available at a very reasonable price with £3 million reportedly all that would be required.
It isn’t just Preston that Celtic could face competition for Tolaj from with a host of other English clubs also linked with the striker. Fellow Championship outfits Swansea City and Stoke City are also credited with an interest in the striker as are Leicester City who were relegated to League One but still have significant stock in the English game to attract players at that level.
Celtic in the market for a new centre forward as former Man City man’s future remains uncertain
Any move for a new striker could also hinge on the future of out of contract forward Kelechi Iheanacho. The former Manchester City player is currently a free agent but has expressed a desire to stay at Celtic.
Martin O’Neill staying on could very well see the club move to extend his time in Glasgow’s east end if both parties can agree on suitable terms. It remains to be seen if the Hoops would still look to recruit yet another centre forward to strengthen their ranks even if Iheanacho returns.