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Latest on McKenna, Postecoglou, Keane and Bellamy

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Celtic majority shareholder Dermot Desmond and other influential figures behind the scenes have pieced together a shortlist of contenders to replace Brendan Rodgers in the Parkhead hot-seat and are set to reach out to managerial candidates, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.

The Bhoys are in danger of failing to defend their Scottish Premiership title as a 3-1 defeat to table-topping Hearts last weekend, despite captain Callum McGregor’s first half equaliser at Tynecastle, resulted in the Glasgow giants falling eight points off the pace as they prepare to face Falkirk on Wednesday.

Martin O’Neill will be in the hot-seat for the encounter after being named Celtic’s interim boss, following Rodgers’ decision to resign from his position earlier this week, but discussions are set to take place with potential successors as they aim to make a speedy appointment. GIVEMESPORT can reveal the state of play when it comes to six names who have been eyed.

Kieran McKenna

Kieran McKenna

Celtic are aware that Kieran McKenna would be an expensive choice as it is believed that he has a £5million release clause written into his Ipswich Town contract and the Suffolk side are prepared to fight to keep him at Portman Road if advances are made by his admirers in the coming days.

The Northern Irish tactician guided the Tractor Boys into the Premier League after steering them to back-to-back promotions from League One and the Championship, but they were unable to maintain their top flight status and suffered relegation back to the second tier last season.

Ange Postecoglou

Ange Postecoglou

Although Ange Postecoglou is on the market as a free agent, following his dismissal from Nottingham Forest earlier this month, it is unclear whether he is interested in diving straight back into the dugout at this stage. But there is still a chance that Celtic will sound him out as they seek Rodgers’ successor.

GMS sources recently revealed that those close to the 60-year-old had downplayed the possibility of a return to Parkhead coming to fruition. The out-of-work manager enjoyed a productive first spell in Glasgow, thanks to guiding them to consecutive Scottish Premiership titles as well as two Scottish League Cup triumphs and the Scottish Cup on one occasion before leaving for Tottenham Hotspur in 2023.

Robbie Keane

ROBBIE KEANE FERENCVAROS

GMS sources have been informed that Robbie Keane is interested in heading to Celtic, despite currently being in charge of Hungarian heavyweights Ferencvaros, and he has made the shortlist of candidates put together by key decision-makers behind the scenes at Parkhead.

The former Maccabi Tel Aviv head coach enjoyed a prolific loan spell with the Bhoys during his playing career, meaning he already has an affinity with the fanbase.

Craig Bellamy

Craig Bellamy

Craig Bellamy has been included on Celtic’s shortlist of managerial contenders after being discussed as an option internally, but there is an awareness that it will be difficult to lure him away from the Wales job when he is attempting to lead his homeland into the 2026 World Cup.

The Dragons are currently top of their qualification group and are preparing for key clashes against Liechtenstein and North Macedonia next month, knowing that wins would seal their place in the tournament taking place in the United States, Canada and Mexico. This could complicate matters for the reigning Scottish Premiership champions.

Nicky Hayen

Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen

Club Brugge head coach Nicky Hayen has been spoken about as a candidate at Celtic, but GMS sources have been told that no contact has been made at this stage and it has been acknowledged that it will be difficult to reach an agreement midway through the campaign.

The Belgian tactician steered his current employers into the Champions League, thanks to sealing comfortable victories in both legs of their play-off against the Bhoys’ Old Firm rivals Rangers in August, and his side are three points off the Jupiler Pro League’s summit after winning eight of their 12 fixtures.

Kjetil Knutsen

Bodo/Glimt boss Kjetil Knutsen celebrating

Like Hayen, Kjetil Knutsen is currently managing in the Champions League as he is in charge of Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt. Although he is in Celtic’s sights, having been brought up in internal conversations, no talks have been arranged and it has been agreed that it will be tough trying to convince him to walk away from his current surroundings at this stage of term.

The Bhoys had already been succession planning due to Rodgers’ contract initially being due to expire next summer, but they were not expecting a mid-season change to be made and several names are not interested in embarking on a fresh challenge during the campaign.

All statistics courtesy of Sofascore – correct as of 29/10/2025

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Liverpool Hold Talks to Sign ‘Elite’ Winger After Diomande Rejection

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Liverpool have made contact over a deal to sign a winger this summer, according to Sky Sports, as the club are looking to strengthen their forward areas.

It comes after the club were rejected by Yan Diomande for a move, after weeks of pursuing the RB Leipzig and Ivory Coast winger in the market.

Offers were made to land the 19-year-old, but he has since made it clear that he wishes to join Paris Saint-Germain, ruling out a possible switch to Anfield.

With the tough task of replacing Mohamed Salah on the cards, Liverpool will now need to switch their focus to other possible arrivals on the market, and have lined up a move for one star.

Bradley Barcola France Action Images

According to Sky Sports reporter Sach Tavolieri, Liverpool have been in contact with PSG over a potential deal to sign Bradley Barcola this summer.

It’s claimed that the French club’s move for Diomande has opened up an exit for the winger, who has entered the final two years under contract with the European champions.

Liverpool aren’t the only team who have discussed a move, as the reporter claims that “several clubs” have been contacted over a possible deal for the 23-year-old.

It remains to be seen whether the Reds will get a transfer over the line in the coming weeks, while it’s unclear how much PSG could value the star at.

However, if they do seal a move, it would be an ideal transfer for Andoni Iraola to get sealed for next season.

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Barcola Would Be Ideal For Liverpool

Bradley Barcola (France) Gonzalo Fuentes via Reuters

Barcola’s possible move to Liverpool would be an ideal switch for the Reds, as they need to add some quality in the forward areas after the difficulties of last season.

While Diomande may have been a decent addition, especially for the future, he is still young and his rapid ascent may not guarantee that he will be a success at Anfield.

In Barcola, there is more of a guarantee. The French winger has shown plenty of quality on the biggest of stages, particularly during his spells in the Champions League.


Ayyoub Bouaddi in action for Morocco at the 2026 World Cup


Ayyoub Bouaddi Update With Lille Ready to Sell Arsenal, Man Utd and Liverpool Target

Lille are ready to sell the talented teenager this summer amid Premier League interest

At 23-years-old, he still has plenty of potential and a long-term future that will protect Liverpool against losing his ability quickly, while he is already performing at a level that has been described as “elite”.

It remains to be seen whether Liverpool can get a move over the line, but he could improve the team drastically moving forward.

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Tottenham In Contact to Sign Maghnes Akliouche Alongside Savinho

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Tottenham Hotspur have been in contact over a deal to sign Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche this summer, with the player already deciding his next club, according to TEAMtalk.

Tottenham have been the busiest Premier League club in the summer transfer window to date, with four new arrivals through the door before July 1.

Paul O’Keefe had reported that Spurs were looking to make seven signings this summer earlier this month, but it appears as though it could be more if rumours are to be believed.

The North London outfit are already trying to sign both Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes from Newcastle United and West Ham United respectively to bolster their midfield, and if they got both it would take their total to six additions.

O’Keefe himself said that he expected new signings across the front three at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which would then take the total up to nine if they pulled it off.

Of course, signing a striker could depend on either Dominic Solanke or Richarlison leaving the club, with new signings on the wing looking the more likely right now following the exit of Randal Kolo Muani after his unsuccessful loan spell from Paris Saint-Germain.

Akliouche via Reuters

According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham are one of many Premier League clubs who have had intermediaries in contact with Akliouche’s agents during the summer transfer window.

Spurs, along with English rivals Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle, were all scouting the 24-year-old extensively last season, with intermediaries of those clubs maintaining regular contact over whether a move for the ‘insane’ French attacker was possible.

However, talks have since been progressing between Monaco and Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain over a deal, with the player himself deciding he wants to stay in France with the Ligue 1 champions – something he has told his other potential suitors.

Akliouche looks set to cost in the region of £60m, which could prove to be a bargain in the long-term given the versatility he has shown by playing on either wing and through the middle too.

His primary position by far last term was playing from the right flank however, which is interesting given one of Spurs’ other main targets this summer has been the left-sided Savinho.

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Tottenham In Talks Over Savinho Deal

Savinho celebrates a goal for Man City via Reuters

Having tried to sign him last summer, it was no surprise that Savinho was one of the first players heavily linked with a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium now, even though a different manager is in charge.

Spurs look to need another addition on the left wing to boost their squad, and the Brazilian fits the bill given he was seen as good enough for City to sign him in the first place.

According to Fabrizio Romano earlier this month, Tottenham are in talks over a deal to bring the attacker in.

The 22-year-old found first-team minutes harder to come by last season, but Tottenham have still been unable to come to a club-to-club agreement with City to bring him to the capital.

City did only confirm Enzo Maresca as their new manager on Monday, so perhaps that has been one of the hold-ups and now a move can move quickly, or be called off altogether if the Italian decides he wants to keep the South American at the Etihad.

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David Ornstein Drops Exciting Man Utd Transfer Update

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Manchester United have been rumoured to hold an interest in several midfielders this summer, despite having already agreed a deal with Atalanta to sign midfielder Ederson.

The Red Devils have been strongly linked with potential deals for Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes over the course of the summer so far. The former is now set for a move to Manchester City, but United are understood to currently be leading the way to sign the latter.

Michael Carrick’s side have seen long-term servant Casemiro depart upon the expiry of his contract, while Manuel Ugarte was also a player subject to a potential departure. However, the Uruguayan is now expected to be sidelined for a significant period of time after suffering knee ligament damage while playing for his country at the World Cup.

Man Utd expected to sign “several” midfielders


Manchester United manager Michael Carrick applauds the supporters


£85m Star Prefers to Join Man Utd as Summer Transfer Talks Held

Manchester United are facing competition to complete the signature in this transfer window

Ugarte injury aside, United are expected to make a number of midfield signings this summer. That’s according to David Ornstein, who has said that the Red Devils’ “midfield is likely to have several incomings this summer”.

Fernandes has been the player most strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford so far this window, especially now since Anderson is set for a switch to the blue side of Manchester.

West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes celebrates scoring Premier League goal against Sunderland via Reuters

The Portuguese was one of the star players in a struggling West Ham side that was eventually relegated last season and the 21-year-old isn’t expected to be part of their Championship squad.

Tottenham Hotspur have also been reported to be in the race for Fernandes, as have Real Madrid. However, United are understood to be leading the pursuit for the midfielder’s signature at this moment in time.

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United also favourites to sign Felix Nmecha

Felix Nmecha Germany Action Images

Another midfielder whose name has been linked with a move to United is Borussia Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha.

The German came through the youth ranks at Manchester City and even represented England at youth level before returning to Germany in 2021 to sign for Wolfsburg.

It is understood that United are now the favourites to sign Nmecha, who is currently impressing at the World Cup after an excellent season for Dortmund, helping them finish second in the Bundesliga.

Either way, fans should be excited about the prospect of multiple midfield additions arriving at Old Trafford this summer and the potential profile and calibre of the club’s summer incomings.

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