Celtic pounce on a “high-profile” star.

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers He is constantly looking for improvement in his Parkhead side, and that was epitomized by his side's success on Sunday.

The Northern Irishman returned to Paradise in the summer of 2023 and crashed out of the League Cup at the first opportunity, losing 1-0 to Kilmarnock.

Naturally, his team won the title Scottish Premier League The title and the Saudi Football Federation Cup in the second half of the season, but the League Cup eluded him in his first season.

This time, the Hoops won the championship after beating Rangers 5-4 on penalties at Hampden Park in the final on Sunday, meaning Rodgers has won all three domestic trophies since his return to the club.

The former Liverpool and Leicester coach now hopes that his team can move forward and secure the domestic treble, by winning the Premier League and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation Cup again in the second half of the season.

Celtic are also on track to qualify for the Champions League play-off round, after one defeat in six matches, and could use the January transfer window to give themselves the best chance of success in 2025.

Celtic are eyeing a £5m forward

According to what was reported by the Daily Mail OnlineAccording to Stephen McGowan, Rodgers is set to sign Royal Antwerp striker Michel-Ange Palekwesha.

The report claims that the Belgian winger is on the club's radar before the transfer window officially opens for business next month, as they plan to improve their options in wide areas.

It states that the 23-year-old striker was a target for the Scottish giants in the summer transfer window before a muscle injury that ruled him out for several months scuppered any potential move.

Palicuesha made his long-awaited return from injury earlier this month, and that appears to have reignited interest from Celtic and Rodges, as they now look to sign him in the winter window.

Daily Mail Online reveals that a £5m fee could be enough to secure his services before the second half of the season, although it remains to be seen whether the Hoops are prepared to pay that sum to bring him to Parkhead in January. .

Rodgers must push for the club to get a deal over the line for the Belgian star, although Nicolas Kuhn has proven you can hit the jackpot by dipping outside the top European leagues for a deal in January.

As you can see in the table above, the January signing from Rapid Vienna has been a huge factor for the Hoops in the Premier League, with seven goals and 12 'big chances' created in 20 appearances throughout 2024.

Palekoisha, who mostly plays opposite Khun, could come in to make a similar impact and look to dislodge Daisen Maeda from the starting line-up.

Daizen Maeda's level this season

The Japanese international achieved his goal 11th goal in all competitions This season in the League Cup final on Sunday, beating Jack Butland in the second half of normal time.

Maeda has registered 11 goals and four assists In 23 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops, but six of those goals came in his three League Cup matches.

The 27-year-old striker's form in the Premier League for Celtic has been inconsistent, at best, as he has failed to provide consistent quality at the top of the pitch.

As you can see in the table above, Maeda was incredibly profligate in the high-quality chances created for him by his teammates, missing a 'big chance' every other game on average.

The Japanese striker will average a goal or an assist every three games if he fails to register a goal or an assist in his next league game, which explains his inconsistent end product in the final third.

With that in mind, Palequicha could come as a huge upgrade over Maeda with his ability to provide quality as both a scorer and goal-creator on the left flank.

Why could palicuecha be an upgrade over maeda

As previously mentioned, the Belgian dynamo has missed the majority of this season due to a muscle injury, but his form in the 2023/24 season suggests he could be an excellent addition to the Celtic squad.

In the professional league last season, he started with Baliquicha 27 of his club 38 matches and caught the eye as an effective striker and an exciting, creative threat on the left wing.

The 23-year-old magician, whose quirk was Described as “high level” By U23 scout Antonio Mango, produced Ten goals and eight assists In all competitions, his best comes at league level.

As you can see in the table above, both players offer a similar threat as a creator, but Palicuesha has the quality to offer more as a striker, scoring five more goals last season than Maeda has this season, despite giving up fewer big goals. “Opportunities.”

The £5million star also played for the Antwerp side who finished third and He scored 55 goals In 30 league games, while Celtic currently lead the Premier League and have already done so He scored 44 goals In 15 league matches.

Now, imagine a player with Palicuesha's goal-scoring quality in a superior attacking formation that can consistently create opportunities for him to work his magic in the final third.

Like Kuhn, the Antwerp star can come in and thrive thanks to the quality of service provided by the rest of the squad and use his skills to be a huge upgrade for Maeda out wide by providing more goals for the team.