---
title: "Celtic: Eddie Howe handed Steve Cook transfer blow"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-eddie-howe-handed-steve-cook-transfer-blow/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Celtic News"
published: "2021-04-09T12:10:42Z"
modified: "2021-04-09T12:10:42Z"
---

# Celtic: Eddie Howe handed Steve Cook transfer blow

**Eddie Howe has been handed an early transfer blow in regards to a potential summer signing ahead of possibly becoming the new Celtic manager.**

[Reports](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/14561258/celtic-eddie-howe-confirm-manager-bournemouth/) have suggested that the former Bournemouth boss has verbally agreed on a move to Parkhead, with a potential start date in the summer.

\[freshpress-poll id=”351721″\]

### Cook’s contract twist

[The Sun](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/14541581/celtic-boss-howe-target-bournemouth-cook-summer-transfer/) claimed that the 43-year-old will target Cherries centre-back Steve Cook as a key addition ahead of the 2021/22 season. They revealed that the 29-year-old would be available on a free transfer when his contract expires in June, with [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/steve-cook/leistungsdaten/spieler/90836) also stating that his deal is up at the end of the campaign.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”350784″\]

However, according to the [Daily Echo](https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/19215426.adam-smith-not-thinking-expiring-cherries-contract/), Cook’s contract actually runs until 2022, meaning the Hoops would more than likely have to pay a fee for the experienced defender.

Celtic have [also been linked](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/who-josh-king-celtic-linked-23866698) with the 29-year-old’s former Cherries team-mate Josh King this week, but renowned fan site [67 Hail Hail](https://www.67hailhail.com/news/josh-kings-reported-january-wage-demands-make-celtic-move-appear-unlikely/) pointed out that the Norwegian’s wages could prove to be a stumbling block towards securing a move to Glasgow.

### Transfer Tavern take

Securing Cook’s services on a free transfer could have been an excellent move. He has [168](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/steve-cook/leistungsdaten/spieler/90836) appearances in the Premier League under his belt and isn’t far off reaching [400](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/steve-cook/leistungsdaten/spieler/90836) games as a Bournemouth player.

Howe would know all about Cook from his time on the south coast, and with Christopher Jullien [injured](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/celtic-injury-update-neil-lennon-23530956), Shane Duffy set to return to Brighton and Kris Ajer [linked](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9408377/Newcastle-United-ready-launch-8m-bid-Celtic-defender-Kristoffer-Ajer.html) with a move away from Celtic, defensive reinforcements could be required as a matter of urgency.

***In other news: Celtic make contact with Howe alternative, find out who it is [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-news/celtic-hoops-make-contact-with-favre/).***