Celtic Opens Talks for €10m Midfielder Demir Tiknaz

Celtic are actively pursuing a summer transfer to strengthen their midfield, focusing on young talent with defensive and offensive potential, notably targeting 20-year-old Turkish midfielder Demir Tiknaz. Tiknaz, currently on loan at Portuguese club Rio Ave from Besiktas, has attracted attention for his strong defensive metrics and physical presence, standing 6ft 4in tall, with Rio Ave expected to exercise a €5 million buy option but aiming to sell him for around €10 million. Celtic have initiated talks for Tiknaz as part of their broader strategy to reinforce key positions ahead of a crucial Champions League qualifying campaign, with Brendan Rodgers emphasizing the need for squad rotation to manage a demanding fixture list. Tiknaz is compared to former Celtic midfielder Nir Bitton in playing style, suggesting the club hopes he can have a significant impact similar to Bitton's successful tenure. This move aligns with Celtic's intent to reduce the heavy workload on current midfielders like captain Callum McGregor by adding a versatile and reliable player to the roster. While no official bid has been made yet, interest from other clubs like Lille adds urgency to Celtic's negotiations.