Celtic will have the chance to turn Tomas Cvancara’s loan spell into a permanent move at the end of the season, with an €8 million purchase option included in the agreement with Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg says the Hoops have finalised terms with the Bundesliga club, paving the way for the Czech forward to become Martin O’Neill’s first signing of the January window.
As part of the deal, Celtic are expected to pay Cvancara’s full wages for the remainder of the campaign. His salary is believed to be around €1 million gross, which works out at roughly £34,000 per week.
The 25 year old spent the opening months of the season on loan at Antalyaspor, where he scored twice in 13 appearances.
Celtic close in on Cvancara deal
Posting on X, Plettenberg confirmed that Celtic have secured an option to buy Cvancara in the summer for €8 million. The striker joined Mönchengladbach from Sparta Prague in 2023 and has found the net six times in 49 outings for the German side. During the current Bundesliga season, he has made seven starts and scored two goals.
Cvancara has also been capped eight times by Czechia. He marked his international debut with a goal in a 3–1 win over Poland in March 2023, with his most recent appearance coming in October last year.
Celtic’s need for attacking reinforcements
A new striker has been a priority for Celtic this month after the team leaned heavily on Johnny Kenny in recent weeks. The 22 year old has scored six goals in 21 matches across all competitions.
Kelechi Iheanacho is still sidelined after suffering another injury in the League Cup final in December, while Shin Yamada has mainly been used as a substitute. Julian Araujo remains the only arrival so far after joining on loan from Bournemouth, with Odin Holm and Stephen Walsh returning from their respective loan spells.
Since O’Neill replaced Wilfried Nancy earlier this month, Celtic have won all three matches under his guidance. Their next assignment comes on Thursday when they face Bologna in the Europa League.
Further Bundesliga interest
Celtic are expected to stay active as the transfer window nears its close and could also look to strengthen in midfield. Reports suggest RB Leipzig’s Xaver Schlager is on their radar, with the Austria international entering the final year of his contract ahead of the February 2 deadline.