Celtic could trigger player’s £4.3m release clause closer to deadline day

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Celtic are still in the market for a new central defender as we enter the final month of the transfer window.

Brendan Rodgers has already welcomed two goalkeepers to Glasgow this summer in Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo – while Paulo Bernardo was also signed from Benfica.

A central defender – however – still eludes Celtic, although the Bhoys are not giving up on one target just yet…

Celtic could still sign Flavius Daniliuc

A story from Tutto Salernitana now claims that Celtic are still monitoring Flavius Daniliuc.

The Austria international is expected to leave Salernitana this summer with Celtic and Como interested – although no side has triggered his €5m (£4.3m) release clause yet.

Tutto Salernitana interestingly add that Celtic could return to the negotiating table in the final few days of the transfer window – which ends on Friday 30th August – although Como are a threat as Robert Budi Hartono is described as one of the richest owners in Italian football.

Daniliuc – who used to play as a striker – made 27 appearances in all competitions last season, providing three assists.

The 23-year-old was taken to Germany as part of the Austria squad for UEFA Euro 2024 as a result of his impressive 2023/24 campaign, but did not come off the bench.

Time is of the essence

If Celtic are sure that Daniliuc can improve the defence, then why wait?

Of course, some players become cheaper as the window goes on and situations become more desperate, but in this instance, the Austrian has a fixed release clause, and it is a fee Celtic can afford.

As aforesaid, Como are Celtic’s direct rivals in this transfer battle, and the Italian side have already signed stars such as Raphael Varane to bolster the backline, so Rodgers should be wary of Hartono triggering that £4.3m release clause and taking Daniliuc away.

READ MORE: Celtic could soon make bid for player they have tracked since 2020 after getting Kasper Schmeichel

Be sure to keep an eye on this situation as the transfer window goes on – if the man from Vienna is still at Salernitana close to deadline day, Celtic could act.