Celtic Transfer Bulletin: 'Desperate' Hoops Warned of Ransom & £5m Rumour

The club are at risk of another striker search coming up empty and rivals sense they're getting 'desperate' Celtic have been told they're at risk of being 'held to ransom' this transfer window – because other clubs sense they are DESPERATE. We're on to day 20 since the window opened and the Parkhead side have only added Julian Araujo on loan from Bournemouth despite boss Martin O'Neill – as well as the fans – making it clear they need to bolster the squad. They're in severe need of a new striker at least while other positions, including out wide and central defence, also need addressed to boost their chances of pipping Hearts and Rangers to the title. Motherwell striker Tawanda Maswanhise has been among a host of striker options linked, with O'Neill personally taking in their win over Ross County in which the Zimbabwean netted his 15th goal of the season. But a mooted £6m transfer fee has been a bone of contention. Jens Berthel Askou says his talisman will be going nowhere this month either way, and his teammate Andy Halliday has now spoken out. He thinks the club risk being rinsed by rivals – who now know they are 'desperate' and could be forced into paying over the odds. He said on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard: "Clubs know Celtic are desperate for a striker and could potentially be held to ransom with whoever they go for. Is there then a panic buy situation? I always felt Celtic would probably get definitely one but probably two strikers: one who is a short term option they can get on loan until the end of the season. "I can’t see it being that difficult to find one and then potentially another one that could be a longer term success." Elsewhere social media rumours have begun to swirl that the Hoops are looking at Plymouth Argyle frontman Lorent Tolaj – but it appears the firing Plymouth Argyle forward won't be available until the summer at the earliest, regardless of the EFL League One side's demands. Tolaj made a £1m move from Port Vale in the summer and has torn things up since with 15 goals in 25 appearances, leading to widespread speculation he could be another forward target. Unconfirmed reports have hinted at a January move from Celtic for the former Switzerland youth cap's signature with a £5m fee even touted in some circles. But it doesn't look a goer – this month, at least. He'd already played four times for Port Vale before he joined Argyle and FIFA rules dictate players can only feature for two clubs competitively in a single season. A substantial move for a striker they wouldn't be able to use until after the summer hardly seems likely to be at the top of their priority list at a time when Martin O'Neill, who met with Michael Nicholson yesterday to discuss January plans, is desperate to get players in now. If he's available again come the summer, it may be a different story.