Celtic skipper Callum McGregor fits the profile of targets Brendan Rodgers has given to Al-Qadsiah chiefs to bring in this summer. Reports have suggested that the Irishman wants the Saudi club to launch an ambitious bid to sign captain McGregor.
It would be the second time he has tried to lure the 32-year-old away, having made efforts to sign him for Leicester City in 2019. He now has the mega-money backing of the Saudi Pro League side.
Celtic are expected to fight to keep McGregor if a money-spinning offer from the Middle East does come his way. The midfielder has two years to run on his contract and is unlikely to be in a rush to leave.
The player has attempted to cool speculation about his future in recent months, but a report in Saudi could jump-start links and clear the first hurdle for a bold signing raid. Al-Riyadiyah reported that an "experienced foreign midfielder" is on the summer shopping list, with a right winger from overseas also requested by Rodgers and club management.
It is said the club are now "reviewing several available players" as they look to provide Rodgers, who led the club to fourth last term, with a squad capable of challenging for the title.
Should McGregor leave, former Celtic star Charlie Mulgrew reckons it will only be the start of the summer exodus. Speaking to Boyle Sports, Mulgrew said: "I think that Daizen Maeda will be one that will be away. I'd imagine, I think Arne Engels, having had a big offer from Forest in January, and he stayed. I think that he may have been told that if he waits until summer, he can then go.
"So that's two huge players that were pivotal in the run-in. Then Benjamin Nygren obviously scored a lot of goals, so he'll be attracting attention. I would imagine Nygren will stay for another year. But I don't know. Players that haven't played a part in it this year need to move on, squad players.
"There's a lot that needs to be done itself. They need to really get moving with all that stuff, but as we know, it doesn't happen overnight."
