Celtic are in advanced talks to sign PSV Eindhoven midfielder Joel van den Berg, according to a report from BBC Sport Football. A club delegation is currently in the Netherlands working to finalise a deal for the 19-year-old, who is open to the move after failing to become a first-team regular at the Eredivisie side.
Van den Berg was pulled from the Jong PSV squad for a second-tier match against RKC Waalwijk on Friday, signalling an imminent transfer. This potential arrival would bolster a Celtic squad sitting first in the Premiership with six points from two wins, having scored six goals and conceded just one. The club's next challenge is a home match against Aberdeen on 2 September, as shown on our fixtures page.
Who is Celtic target Joel van den Berg?
Joel van den Berg is a 19-year-old midfielder currently with PSV Eindhoven. He has not yet broken into the Dutch club's senior side on a consistent basis, which has made him receptive to a transfer. Celtic's interest appears serious, with PSV seemingly ready to sanction a sale. The young player's removal from a matchday squad is a strong indicator that negotiations are at a critical stage.
What other midfield targets are Celtic pursuing?
Celtic's search for midfield reinforcements extends beyond the Netherlands. Hajduk Split head coach Gonzalez Garcia has confirmed that 22-year-old Niko Sigur has played his last game for the Croatian club. Sigur is reportedly keen on a move to Glasgow, but Celtic face competition from Genk and Toulouse. In a separate development, Partizan Belgrade president Rasim Ljajic said they rejected a bid from Celtic for 20-year-old playmaker Ognjen Ugresic. "They rejected a bid from Celtic for playmaker Ognjen Ugresic because they had already given their word to PAOK to sell the 20-year-old for £400,000 less than the Scottish champions offered," Ljajic stated.
Which potential deals have fallen through?
Not all of Celtic's reported pursuits are progressing. The club looks set to miss out on 21-year-old Slovan Liberec midfielder Ermin Mahmic, who has reportedly agreed a £4.3m transfer to newly promoted Turkish Super Lig side Corum. This follows the failed move for Ugresic at Partizan. In a historical note, Scotland midfielder John McGinn revealed that Hibernian had agreed to sell him to Celtic before his transfer to Aston Villa. "Hibernian had agreed to sell him to Celtic if the Scottish champions matched their valuation, but a suitable bid never arrived," McGinn said.
How does this affect Celtic's squad planning?
With the transfer window active, Celtic are actively shaping their squad for the season ahead. The potential signing of a young midfielder like Van den Berg aligns with a long-term strategy. The current squad, which you can view on our squad page, is performing well but has known absences like Alistair Johnston and Jota listed on our injuries page. Adding depth in midfield provides options for manager Brendan Rodgers as the team aims to maintain its strong early league position, detailed in our standings. The club's positive goal difference of +5 from the opening fixtures offers a solid platform for integrating new signings.
Finalising a deal for Van den Berg would be a significant step in Celtic's late-window business. The focus now shifts to concluding negotiations and integrating any new arrival ahead of a busy period of domestic and European fixtures.
