Celtic Monitoring Xaver Schlager’s Situation at RB Leipzig

Interest in the Austrian Midfielder

A recent report from a German source indicates that Celtic is closely observing Xaver Schlager, the RB Leipzig midfielder poised to become a free agent this summer. However, they face competition from clubs like AS Roma and Juventus, who are also keeping an eye on his status at the Red Bull Arena.

Potential Transfer Fee

The Bundesliga club is open to offers in the region of £4.3 million to avoid losing Schlager for free in six months. This relatively low fee may attract interest from teams such as Celtic.

Schlager’s Career Journey

Xaver Schlager, now 28, began his career at SC St. Valentin and progressed through the ranks at Red Bull Salzburg. His breakout phase came during a loan at FC Liefering in the second division, where he gained valuable first-team experience and subsequently established himself as a regular in Salzburg’s midfield.

In the summer of 2019, Wolfsburg signed him, but he moved to Leipzig three years later for £10 million after they activated his release clause. Up until now, he has made 94 appearances for Leipzig, contributing 4 goals and 9 assists across all competitions. The club is reportedly exploring alternatives should they fail to secure a new contract with Schlager.

Other Targets for RB Leipzig

In addition to Celtic’s Arne Engels, RB Leipzig is also considering AC Milan’s Ardon Jashari and Rocco Reitz from Mönchengladbach. However, Engels’ commitment to stay and develop under Martin O’Neill could prove beneficial in Celtic’s pursuit of the Premiership title.

Squad Strengthening for Celtic

Celtic recognizes the need to bolster their squad, particularly focusing on enhancing their attack and defense, according to various transfer reports. Nevertheless, they could capitalize on the opportunity to sign a talented midfielder like Schlager at a bargain price.

Currently, the Scottish champions have a strong midfield presence, led by captain Callum McGregor and Engels as deep-lying playmakers. O’Neill’s 4-2-3-1 formation has restored the team’s stability after a challenging period under Wilfried Nancy, with veteran Paulo Bernardo being utilized as a backup.

Future Considerations

Bringing Schlager on board would provide much-needed depth and improvement in the midfield area. Players like Reo Hatate, Luke McCowan, and Benjamin Nygren have not proven to be suitable for the ‘number 6’ role. Additionally, securing a long-term replacement for Callum McGregor, who will be turning 33 in the summer, is a priority. Schlager’s reputation both at his club and within the national team adds to the significance of this potential move, making it a noteworthy ambition for Celtic if they can finalize the deal promptly.