Report claims Celtic interested in Roma left-back Anass Salah-Eddine

A couple of reports including this one on Inside Futbol are suggesting Celtic are among a long list of clubs chasing the versatile defender, with Nottingham Forest, PSV Eindhoven, Lille, FC Porto, Torino, and Werder Bremen also showing interest.

This translates as follows: ‘Whether it will actually lead to a quick return of Salah-Eddine to the Eredivisie remains to be seen. There is formidable competition for PSV. FC Porto, Lille LOSC, Nottingham Forest, Celtic, Torino, and Werder Bremen are also interested in the left-back from AS Roma.’

Of course, this link comes against the backdrop of a low key, low-cost Celtic summer transfer window so far.

Celtic it seems however may now be well stocked at left-back. Kieran Tierney arrived on a free transfer but is clearly struggling to get fully up to speed. As such, the fact Boca Juniors Uruguayan international Marcelo Saracchi is reportedly close to a loan deal is encouraging.

We also have promising Japanese full-back Hayato Inamura, who made his competitive debut on Saturday. But he may go out on loan to develop defensively before challenging Tierney for minutes, given the manager wants to see defensive improvements in Inamura before trusting him on the European stage in particular.

Salah-Eddine’s appearance in the rumour mill today, however, may tell fans more about Celtic’s communications than their transfer strategy.

With the Champions League play-off exit fresh in supporters’ minds, a sudden flurry of ‘linked’ names—especially players unlikely to sign—can act as a less than subtle signal that the club has been working behind the scenes and is actively exploring options to strengthen the squad.

From a footballing perspective, Salah-Eddine could in theory bring a different dimension to Celtic’s left flank. He’s capable further up the pitch than a traditional left-back, offering the kind of versatility that Rodgers might value if he was to consider him as a wide attacking option. But with Tierney and Saracchi already in place in his natural position, it’s unlikely he would be more than an outside shot as a potential signing.

As the window edges closer to closing on Monday, Celtic supporters can probably expect more names to surface. Whether any of them materialise into actual signings remains to be seen. But today’s link to Salah-Eddine is a reminder that the club perhaps wants us to know they are, or were, working behind the scenes to ensure Rodgers has options—both to strengthen the squad and to reassure fans after a bitterly disappointing European setback.