Plymouth Argyle will reportedly demand £3 million for Lorent Tolaj as their chief executive addressed the striker's future amid interest from Celtic. Martin O'Neill faces the prospect of bringing in an entirely new frontline this summer with star man Daizen Maeda likely to leave, while loanees Tomas Cvancara, Junior Adamu, and Joel Mvuka failed to make the grade and earn permanent deals.
Kelechi Iheanacho is also out of contract with no news on his future, while prospect Callum Osmand is still in the early stages of his Celtic career. Tolaj, who netted 21 goals in all competitions, has reportedly been on the Parkhead shopping list for months. Preston North End are also said to be chasing a deal, with the Lancashire Post reporting a £3 million valuation has been placed on the attacker.
But Argyle chief Paul Berne does not expect Tolaj to leave anytime soon, as he insisted all contracted players will report for pre-season training imminently. He told Plymouth Live: "We have planned that all the players we have got will be with us on day one of pre-season. That's what we plan to do. The players come back to pre-season shortly and Tom Cleverley and the coaching staff will start on the prep on that basis."
Kawasaki Frontale Striker Also on Radar
Kawasaki Frontale striker Soma Kanda is another player Martin O'Neill may be asked to run the rule over shortly. 67 Hail Hail claim that the 20-year-old "is being investigated by Parkhead scouts," with English Championship sides also said to be keen on the rising star.
Mulgrew Urges Quickfire Calls
Charlie Mulgrew has urged the boss to make three quickfire calls on a trio of targets. He has urged the club to bring back Marcelo Saracchi, who spent last season on loan at Celtic Park from Boca Juniors, and Motherwell duo Elijah Just and Tawanda Maswanhise.
Speaking to Go Radio, Mulgrew said: "I think Saracchi… his performance against Hearts on the last day of the league was unbelievable. The desire he showed to go and make something happen in the match. He's somebody that I would love to see sign for Celtic. I'm not sure what the price of that will be - two or three million? He was brilliant. He was beating players, he was dribbling by players. It was a desire and a determination and an aura that he gave off. He done it a few times. Every time he came on he helped. I would argue that you could even play him as a left-winger at times, he can cover a couple of positions.
"Eli Just, I would definitely get him in the door. I would look at Maswanhise as well. Low hanging fruit, get these guys in the building. There's players they need there to build up the squad, then there's obviously players that are going to leave. So get these players in the building. Get this business done as quick as you can, that's what I think. Get them in for pre-season and let them settle in."
