Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has personally earmarked an “aggressive” midfielder as the ideal heir to Callum McGregor, with a potential summer transfer available for just £3m–£3.5m, according to reports.
McGregor Still a Key Figure at Celtic
Despite nearing his 32nd birthday, McGregor remains a vital player for the Hoops, delivering another standout campaign in the Scottish Premiership. The club captain has registered eight goals and two assists across 45 appearances in all competitions, underscoring his continued importance to Rodgers’ plans.
However, with the need to plan for the future, Celtic are actively scouting long-term replacements, with the summer window presenting an opportunity to reinforce the midfield.
Last week, reports emerged that Celtic had initiated contact regarding a deal for FC Augsburg’s Elvis Rexhbecaj, who has also attracted interest from Besiktas and Parma. Now, fresh updates indicate Rodgers is personally pushing for the move, identifying the 27-year-old as an ideal successor to McGregor. Strengthening the midfield remains a priority for the Celtic boss.
Rexhbecaj could be available at a bargain price, with Augsburg reportedly open to selling for around £3m–£3.5m. However, despite the seemingly affordable fee, the deal might not be straightforward, as the midfielder has expressed contentment at Augsburg. That said, if the German club decides to cash in, the final decision may be out of his hands.
Rexhbecaj Impressing in the Bundesliga
Augsburg’s sporting director, Stefan Reuter, previously lauded Rexhbecaj for his “aggressive and passionate style of play,” and the Kosovan international has established himself as a key figure in the Bundesliga side’s setup.
The Prizren-born midfielder has featured in 25 games across all competitions this season, earning a national team call-up and scoring in Kosovo’s recent 2-1 victory over Iceland.
While he has excelled in other aspects of his game, Rexhbecaj will need to enhance his goal-scoring output if he is to fill McGregor’s boots long-term, having netted just once in the Bundesliga this season and twice in the previous campaign.
Nevertheless, at a relatively low fee, he represents a low-risk investment for Celtic. With Rodgers actively pursuing his signature, the midfielder could be a valuable addition to the squad this summer.
