CELTIC are reportedly ‘working hard on a recruitment plan’ to sign Crystal Palace’s James McCarthy.
The Hoops have been chasing the 30-year-old Glaswegian for months.
Crystal Palace midfielder James McCarthy is wanted by CelticCredit: Rex Features
They believe the boyhood Celtic fan is the type of player who could ‘invigorate’ the side as they look to close the 16-point gap on Scottish premiership rivals Rangers.
According to Eurosport, McCarthy is aware of the interest from Parkhead.
And he is believed to be keen on the move due to his lack of match action at Palace.
But Celtic need to raise some cash and make room in their squad by offloading some of their players first.
The report states they will consider selling Olivier Ntcham.
And they will also need to make a decision over in-demand striker Odsonne Edouard, who has several Premier League clubs chasing his services.
Meanwhile, Palace are heading for a king-sized change of the guard — with THIRTEEN players coming out of contract.
The Eagles have monumental decisions to make with so many of their squad in the last six months of their deals.
It could lead to the biggest turn-around seen at Selhurst Park in years, with several new players also needed to replace them.
Palace have keepers Vicente Guaita, Wayne Hennessey, both 33, and Stephen Henderson, 32, out of contract.
They have a one-year option to keep Guaita but Wales international Hennessey could be on his way.
Dutch left-back Patrick van Aanholt, 30, is looking for new terms but that might be an issue as Tyrick Mitchell, 21, has done so well in the position since stepping up.
Centre-halves Gary Cahill, 34, and Mamadou Sakho, 30, are two that Palace want to keep.
The midfielder was a boyhood Celtic fanCredit: Sportsfile
But defender Scott Dann, 33, could be off, with some Prem clubs even looking at him as a capture in the next window.
Strikers Christian Benteke, 29, and Connor Wickham, 27, were given deals for this season but could then move on.
Winger Andros Townsend, 28, was wanted by West Brom but they were rebuffed last summer.
He will want his deal sorted soon or could leave in the January window.
Out-of-favour midfielder Max Meyer, 25, sees his contract up next summer, along with McCarthy.
And striker Michy Batshuayi, 27, returns to Chelsea at the end of his loan in May.
Crystal Palace star Andros Townsend wants the Premier League to scrap VAR now
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
