Incoming Celtic star completes medical as Hoops told they've struck gold in negotiations despite record fee
The Hoops are closing in on their second transfer arrival of the summer window
Incoming Celtic transfer target Kasper Hogh has completed his medical and is closing in on a record £11m deal - but former Hoops man Vidar Riseth reckons Bodo Glimt could’ve pushed even further in negotiations for their star striker.
It’s understood that the 25-year old will sign for Celtic on a four-year deal within the next 24 hours after his medical in London went smoothly. Hogh will now travel to Glasgow to finalise the £11m transfer, which would see him overtake Arne Engels as their most expensive ever player. The £10m sale of forward Daizen Maeda to Ipswich Town ramped up Celtic’s interest in the Denmark international, who impressed last season in the Champions League.
Norwegian Riseth - who spent two seasons at Celtic Park during his playing days - has been watching Hogh closely both in the Eliteserien and on the European stage. He believes Bodo could’ve asked for nearly double the fee for their talisman. Hogh has bagged 54 goals in 103 appearances since signing from Stabaek in 2023. He is set to become Celtic’s second signing of the summer as he joins fellow striker Camilo Duran on the list of arrivals.
Former Celt says Hogh ‘could’ve gone for more’
Now a pundit in Norway, Riseth told Record Sport: “He's a very good striker. He's been showing now for many years that he is Champions League level, so this is a good signing for Celtic. He's been the main man for Bodo/Glimt and has been first-choice always. He’s been playing alone up front but also with a partner. He can play in a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 system. He scores in almost every game, whether it’s the Norwegian league or in the Champions League.
“I think he could have gone for more. There have been so many clubs interested in him. I know there have been teams from Italy, Germany and Norway as well, but everybody understands that in Norway he's too expensive. He has so much interest because he’s performed at the highest level in the Champions League. These days, the transfer numbers are crazy. Players are expensive.
“So if you look at £11m, I would say that he would have gone for more. But when Celtic came up, he wanted to play for them, I know that. He didn't want to wait and bring all the other clubs up to each other and to get the price up because he wants to go to Celtic. He was clear about that. So, I think the price could be more, definitely. I would have expected him to go for around £16-20m.”
Hogh completes Celtic medical
After his medical in London, Sky Sports confirmed the player is en route to Glasgow to ‘finalise’ the deal. Celtic will have an option to extend the four-year deal another year if they wish. Manager Martin O’Neill claims he’s the exact right ‘calibre’ of player Celtic need for the season ahead.
Hogh scored against the likes of Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League last season. The year before, he was joint-top scorer in the Europa League. If a deal is struck for the striker, Celtic will have no time to bed him in gently with no more pre-season friendlies left. The champions’ domestic season will get underway at Parkhead on Monday night against Dundee.