Celtic Set Sights on a Blockbuster Summer: Tierney, Edouard, and More in the Frame
Celtic are gearing up for a transformative summer transfer window in 2025, with ambitious plans already taking shape to bolster Brendan Rodgers’ squad. The Scottish Premiership champions, currently dominating domestically and eyeing a deeper run in European competition, have identified three key targets to elevate their team. Among them are the headline-grabbing returns of Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney and Crystal Palace’s Odsonne Edouard, alongside a third mystery name that has fans buzzing with anticipation.
Kieran Tierney’s return to Celtic has been one of the worst-kept secrets in football. The 27-year-old left-back, who rose through the Celtic academy and made 170 appearances before his £25m move to Arsenal in 2017, is set to rejoin the Hoops in July 2025. Celtic confirmed in their February financial report that Tierney has signed a pre-contract agreement, marking the end of his Arsenal tenure as his contract expires this summer. Despite interest from Premier League clubs like West Ham, Leicester City, and Brentford, as well as teams across Europe, Tierney’s heart has remained with his boyhood club.
Brendan Rodgers, who previously coached Tierney during his first spell at Celtic, has made no secret of his delight. “It’s definitely happening in the summer,” Rodgers said earlier this year, though he had hoped to secure the Scotland international in January. Tierney’s return promises to shore up the left-back position, bringing leadership, tenacity, and attacking flair. With Greg Taylor’s future uncertain and Jeffrey Schlupp’s loan from Crystal Palace nearing its end, Tierney’s arrival could be the cornerstone of Celtic’s summer rebuild.
The second name on Celtic’s radar is a nostalgic one: Odsonne Edouard. The French striker, who left Celtic for Crystal Palace in 2021 for £14m, is reportedly in the club’s sights for a sensational return. Edouard was a fan favorite during his time at Parkhead, scoring 57 goals in 94 appearances and playing a pivotal role in multiple title-winning campaigns. However, his stint in the Premier League has been less fruitful, with just eight goals last season and a reduced role under Palace manager Oliver Glasner.
Reports suggest Palace are open to selling Edouard, who has one year left on his contract come summer 2025, with a valuation around £20m. While that price tag might stretch Celtic’s budget, a return could make sense for all parties. Edouard’s familiarity with Rodgers’ system, combined with his proven goal-scoring pedigree in Scotland, would add firepower to a forward line that recently lost Kyogo Furuhashi. Pairing him with the likes of Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn could give Celtic a lethal edge, both domestically and in the Champions League.
While Tierney and Edouard have dominated the headlines, Celtic’s third potential signing remains under wraps, fueling speculation among the Parkhead faithful. Could it be a dynamic midfielder to replace the creativity of Matt O’Riley, who departed last summer? Or perhaps a commanding center-back to pair with Cameron Carter-Vickers and provide cover for the injury-prone Tierney? Names like Brondby’s Mathias Kvistgaarden, a striker long admired by Rodgers, or even a wildcard Premier League talent like Chelsea’s Carney Chukwuemeka have been floated in recent rumors.
Whoever the third target may be, Celtic’s intent is clear: they’re not content to rest on their laurels. With a reported £65.4m in the bank and a profit of £26.9m from their latest financials, the club has the resources to make a statement. Rodgers has emphasized the need for “constant improvement,” and this summer could see Celtic flex their financial muscle to build a squad capable of challenging Europe’s elite.
Celtic’s 2024-25 season has already been a tale of dominance, with a 16-point lead over Rangers in the Premiership and a strong showing in the Champions League group stage. But Rodgers knows that sustaining success requires evolution. The potential return of Tierney and Edouard, alongside a yet-to-be-revealed third signing, signals a blend of nostalgia and ambition—a nod to the club’s past glories and a bold step toward future triumphs.
For fans, the prospect of seeing two former heroes back in green and white is tantalizing. Tierney’s grit and Edouard’s goals could rekindle memories of Celtic’s invincible era while pushing the team to new heights. As the summer window approaches, all eyes will be on Parkhead to see if Celtic can turn their plans into reality—and cement their status as Scotland’s unrivaled powerhouse.
