A dream Kuhn replacement: Celtic eyeing move for "unplayable" star
da realsbet： The season is over and attention will now turn to what Celtic are going to do in the upcoming summer transfer window to improve their playing squad.
da betobet： Brendan Rodgers already has one new addition lined up to come in this summer, as Kieran Tierney will join on a free transfer at the end of his contract with Arsenal.
As you can see in the graphic above, the Scotland international enjoyed an incredibly successful first spell at Parkhead after coming up through the academy system, winning five Scottish Premiership titles before his £25m move to Arsenal in 2019.
He is now set to return on a free transfer to bolster the manager’s options at left-back as the first signing of the summer transfer window for the Hoops.
Whilst there will be a focus on incoming signings and how the Premiership champions can strengthen their squad, Celtic also have to be wary of losing their top talents.
They sold Matt O’Riley to Brighton & Hove Albion last summer and Kyogo Furuhashi to Rennes in January, and Nicolas Kuhn is one star who could follow them out of the door.
Why Nicolas Kuhn could leave Celtic this summer
Writing for Sky Sports last weekend, journalist Anthony Joseph claimed that there is ‘plenty of interest’ in the left-footed wizard after his impressive season for the club.
Crystal Palace, Everton, and Leeds United have all been credited with an interest in the German attacker this year, but it remains to be seen whether any of them are prepared to make a tangible move for him this summer.
This interest in his services, though, does suggest that there is a chance that the former Rapid Vienna winger could move on from Parkhead ahead of next season, if offers start coming in for him.
Clubs being keen on snapping him up should not come as a surprise to anyone, though, because Kuhn enjoyed a terrific season for Celtic across all competitions.
24/25 Premiership
Nicolas Kuhn
Appearances
32
Goals
13
Big chances created
11
Key passes per game
1.6
Assists
9
Dribbles completed per game
1.8
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the 25-year-old wizard delivered brilliant performances in the Scottish Premiership during the 2024/25 campaign, with 24 goals and ‘big chances’ created combined in 32 appearances.
It would be a big blow to lose Kuhn from the squad, because of the goals and assists that he can provide from the right flank, but the Hoops are reportedly looking at a star who could be a dream replacement for him.
Celtic eyeing move for new winger
According to GIVEMESPORT, Celtic are one of a number of clubs interested in a deal to sign Peterborough United forward Kwame Poku in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The report claims that there are up to a staggering 26 teams eyeing up the Ghana international, whose contract with the Posh is due to expire at the end of next month.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
It reveals that the Hoops have sent scouts to watch the attacker on a regular basis this season, with a view to potentially swooping for him in the coming weeks.
GIVEMESPORT adds that Celtic and Rangers are both in a strong position to sign the winger because they would not have to pay as much money in compensation as English teams, due to UEFA’s cross-border compensation rules, which would allow them to offer a more attractive contract.
The report does reveal, though, that Birmingham City, who have been promoted to the Championship in England, have already submitted their contract offer to the left-footed star.
With this in mind, Celtic must press ahead with their interest in Poku to challenge Birmingham for his signature, because he could be a fantastic replacement for Kuhn.
Why Celtic should sign Kwame Poku
If the club’s German wizard does move on from Parkhead in the weeks or months to come, Rodgers will need a new left-footed right winger who has the potential to deliver goals and assists on a regular basis.
Poku’s performances for Peterborough in the third tier of English football suggest that he could be an ideal signing to replace the impact that Kuhn has at the top end of the pitch.
Whilst some may question the standard of League One, it is worth remembering that Matt O’Riley produced seven goals and five assists in 27 League One matches for MK Dons before his move to Celtic.
Poku could follow in his footsteps by making the move to Glasgow to be a star for the Hoops as an exciting attacking force on the right wing, coming in to replace the productivity that Kuhn provides.
The 23-year-old sensation, who was described as “unplayable” by manager Darren Ferguson, has provided goals and assists on a regular basis in England over the past two seasons.
Kwame Poku (League One)
23/24
24/25
Appearances
37
27
Goals
11
12
Big chances missed
11
3
Big chances created
10
9
Key passes per game
1.5
1.2
Assists
7
8
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Poku has delivered 23 goals and 19 ‘big chances’ created in 64 appearances in League One for Peterborough, which shows that he has the potential to make a big impact in the final third.
Like Kuhn, the Posh star is also a left-footed attacker who predominantly plays on the right flank, cutting in onto his stronger foot to cause problems for opposition defenders as both a scorer and a creator of goals.
With this in mind, Poku could come in as a dream replacement for the Celtic number ten, if he does move on this summer, because he is similar in style whilst also having the potential to provide goals and assists at a similar rate.
Related McCowan 2.0: Celtic agree deal to make "brilliant" star their 2nd signing
Celtic have reportedly agreed a deal to make their second signing of the summer, and he could be Luke McCowan 2.0.
It is now down to the Hoops to submit a contract offer of their own in an attempt to convince the winger to turn down the chance to sign for Birmingham.