CELTIC have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Bobby Clark from RB Salzburg in January.
The former Liverpool star – son of ex-Kilmarnock boss Lee Clark – joined the Austrian side for £10million just last year but has been on loan at Derby County this season.
The centre-mid, 20, is keen to leave Austria for good and is now closing in on a permanent transfer to Celtic, it’s being claimed.
That’s according to The Telegraph – who suggest Brendan Rodgers has already landed his first January signing.
It’s stated the England U20 ace will join the Scottish champions in a deal worth £6m when the winter transfer window opens.
That would see RB Salzburg make a loss on the former Liverpool star – who made 25 appearances for the club last season, including six outings in the Champions League.
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Clark was linked with a loan move to Rangers in January.
Clark penned a five-year deal with Salzburg last year, but his future at the club was thrown into doubt when former Reds assistant boss Pep Ljinders was shown the door at the club.
Ljinders was the one who brought him to Austria in the summer of 2024 and Clark eventually fell out of favour when the manager was axed, leading to his loan exit to Derby this season.
Clark only made five league appearances for Salzburg after Ljinders was sacked.
He’s featured 10 times for the Rams this season and has impressed down south.
So much so that Rodgers made him a priority target has moved quickly to get a deal over the line ahead of the January window opening.
The Celtic boss made it clear that the club has to improve their “timing” when it comes to transfers after a disappointing summer window.
And this is a promising sign for the Hoops as they’re wasting no time ahead of the new year.
Speaking in the summer, Rodgers said: “It’s not about investment because this club will invest. The club’s super well run, the investment is there.
“We need to look at the timing. Does that go back to recruitment? Does it go back to identification?
“What I know is we have to be better at it. Am I hopeful this time next year something can be changed? I’d be very hopeful.
“We’ve got a major owner in Dermot Desmond who’s a super intelligent guy. We’ve got a board of directors who bleed for the club.
“Everyone here is connected. All this talk about total disconnection? It’s not what I see and hear, it couldn’t be further from the truth.
“But probably if you looked at what Ange said or what Neil Lennon said it would be around about the same. That’s what I’m saying.
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“It’s a trend. We need to understand that because you want to be as well equipped as you can.
“There are so many reasons why transfers don’t get done in time.
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