Celtic have been dealt a huge blow ahead of the January transfer window, as top target – RB Leipzig centre-back Marvin Compper – won’t be allowed to leave the German club next month.
The Bundesliga side are currently being ravaged by injuries, and manager Ralph Hasenhuttl is keen on holding on to his man until the end of the campaign.
Despite starting just a league game this term, Compper, 32, hasn’t expressed any desire to leave to the club.
Hasenhuttl recently told the press: “I don’t want to get rid of any player in January. It’s a squad game and we need them all, especially as we have had a lot of injuries recently.
Also, Marvin has never come to me and said he’s unhappy or put in a transfer request. So he will be here until the summer at least.”
Celtic wanted to sign South Africa international Rivaldo Coetzee from Ajax Cape Town during the summer transfer window, but a failed medical saw the move fall through in the last minute.
Injuries have exposed the Hoops’ lack of depth at the back this term, with right-back Mikael Lustig having had to fill in at the position earlier on in the campaign.
Compper, with his ample experience would have been a great addition to the Celtic squad despite his ineligibility to play in the Europa League if he were to be signed.
However, manager Brendan Rodger’s search for another centre-half will now have to continue.
