---
title: "Celtic: Ange Postecoglou eyes central midfielder"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-ange-postecoglou-eyes-central-midfielder/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "David Comerford"
section: "Celtic News"
published: "2022-01-22T13:35:02Z"
modified: "2022-01-22T13:35:39Z"
---

# Celtic: Ange Postecoglou eyes central midfielder

**Celtic’s ‘priority’ is to sign another central midfielder, Pete O’Rourke has told [Give Me Sport](https://www.givemesport.com/1825503-celtic-transfer-news-ange-postecoglous-priority-right-now-ahead-of-january-deadline).**

### The lowdown: Surprising

With just over a week of the January transfer window remaining, Celtic’s outlay stands at [£3.82million](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/celtic-fc/transfers/verein/371/plus/?saison_id=2021&pos=&detailpos=&w_s=w).

They’ve signed five new players, [three of whom](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/celtic-fc/transfers/verein/371/plus/?saison_id=2021&pos=&detailpos=&w_s=w) – Reo Hatate, Yosuke Ideguchi and Matt O’Riley – can play in central midfield.

It is surprising, then, that Ange Postecoglou wants another central player, but it’s possible that the Australian views Hatate as a more of a [left-sided option](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/reo-hatate/profil/spieler/496656) in the long-term.

It should also be noted that Celtic have offloaded two midfielders this month, with Liam Shaw and Ewan Henderson [sealing loan moves](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/celtic-fc/transfers/verein/371/plus/?saison_id=2021&pos=&detailpos=&w_s=w).

\[freshpress-quiz id=”383645″\]

### The latest: Priority

O’Rourke reckons that Postecoglou’s biggest concern at present is strengthening further in the middle of the park.

“I think central midfield is the priority for Celtic right now,” [he said](https://www.givemesport.com/1825503-celtic-transfer-news-ange-postecoglous-priority-right-now-ahead-of-january-deadline).

### The verdict: Kendouci?

Who, then, could be the next central midfielder?

Well perhaps Ahmed Kendouci is the most likely candidate. In their live transfer blog on Tuesday, The Daily Record [reported](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-transfer-rumours/celtic-hoops-target-ahmed-kendouci-hands-in-transfer-request/) that the ES Setif man had submitted a transfer request.

The Algerian top-flight club didn’t dismiss that request outright. Instead, they’ve taken some time to assess their next move.

If they agree to grant his wish, [£1.17million-rated Kendouci](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ahmed-kendouci/profil/spieler/645764), the most valuable player in his league according to [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ligue-professionnelle-1/startseite/wettbewerb/ALG1), could be the latest player to jet into Glasgow from outside Europe.

**Elsewhere, [there’s bad news on a Celtic loanee](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-news/celtic-benfica-optimistic-of-jota-return/).**