Sky Sports reporter confirms Celtic received offer for first team defender
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – MARCH 10: Stephen Welsh of Celtic looks dejected after Tete Yengi of Livingston (not pictured) scores his team’s second goal during the Scottish Cup Quarter Final match between Celtic and Livingston at Celtic Park on March 10, 2024 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Celtic have received a loan offer from KV Mechelen for defender Stephen Welsh. The 24-year-old is currently in the USA with the Scottish Champions and started the 4-3 win over Manchester City; although, it is clear that he is attracting interest.
According to Sky Sports’ Anthony Joseph, a number of clubs are interested in bringing the former Scotland U21s star in during the course of this summer transfer window.
KV Mechelen have made a loan offer for Celtic centre-back Stephen Welsh.
A number of clubs in the English Championship are also interested in the 24-year-old. pic.twitter.com/rR9LF0aFp4
— Anthony Joseph (@AnthonyRJoseph) July 26, 2024
Welsh has made 66 appearances for Celtic since making his debut in February 2020. The central defender has scored four goals and assisted once and it was clear that the manager saw him as a supporting first team option, behind Cameron Carter-Vickers, Gustaf Lagerbielke and Maik Nawrocki. However, the emergence of Liam Scales along with Lagerbielke failing to impress saw the Academy graduate compete with Nawrocki for that role as the third CB last year.
Celtic are in the market for a left-sided central defender to partner CCV, meaning that the manager would likely be reassessing his options at the back. Welsh is a homegrown talent and appears content to play a squad role. This makes him an ideal candidate at the moment but it might stunt his development into being a fully fledged first team candidate. This is an issue that the manager will need to weigh up before sanctioning a deal.
