As the debate over the transfer window dealings, or lack of them, at Celtic rumbles on, details of another failure to sign a forward emerge. With Kyogo Furuhashiâs move to Rennes, there was a significant gap in Brendan Rodgers' squad which the manager had seemed keen to fill. Fans were also left disappointed when no new striker was brought in.
Although there are ways to patch up the gap left by Kyogo, even those have some question marks over them. Adam Idah is already stepping up with four goals in the last three games.
Daizen Maeda has shown his ability to play a more central role too. And then in the background, Johnny Kenny and Daniel Cummings should get a chance to step into the spotlight when the situation calls for it.
Kenny though was looking likely to be loaned out again. And Cummings was on the verge of an early move to West Ham United ahead of his contract expiry in the summer. Both moves came to a halt as Celtic couldn't bring anyone else in at striker before the close of the window.
Celtic handed blow by Tottenham Hotspur announcement
The news that Tottenham Hotspur have signed a forward wanted by Celtic won't help matters. The Hoops had been monitoring Mason Melia, as were several other teams across Europe. The youngster has been in fine form for St Patrick's Athletic and is believed to have a big future ahead of him.
Tottenham Hotspur have announced that they have reached an agreement with St Patrick's Athletic for the transfer of Melia. He will have a deal that will run until 2031 and will join the English side in January, 2026.
The transfer fee is believed to be in the region of â¬1.9 million, which would have been well within the Hoops' capability, although whether Rodgers and his team felt it was value for money may be an issue. No doubt a strong wage package at the London club will have helped Meliaâs decision.Â
Itâs unlikely Melia would have been the answer to fill the Kyogo gap. But he may have offered another option alongside or in place of Kenny or Cummings. Especially as the latter is still likely to make that move to West Ham at the season's end.