17 May 2026 20:04 BST |
4 min read
Celtic have been given a boost towards their summer transfer plans after one of their top targets confirmed he would be available for a move in the upcoming window.
The Bhoys overcame Hearts on Saturday to lift the Scottish Premiership title over their rivals, confirming their place in the Champions League next season in the process.
Work is already underway for Celtic to build upon their title success and Koln midfielder Eric Martel is believed to be among the targets for the Scottish giants after being linked with a free transfer in recent months.
Martel’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season and Koln confirmed on Sunday that the 24-year-old has rejected the chance to extend his deal and would seek a new challenge elsewhere.
“We were in regular, close contact with Eric Martel over the past weeks and months and gave him a fair and appropriate offer. On Friday, he told us that he would not accept and wants to take on a new sporting challenge,” said Koln director Thomas Kessler.
“We respect that. We thank Eric for his efforts in the past four years at 1. FC Köln and wish him all the best for the future.”
Martel could lead Celtic summer transformation
Martel has been a regular feature for Koln since joining the club in 2022, being used primarily as a defensive midfielder but also filling in at centre-back.
Interest is believed to be strong in Martel, given his newly-confirmed status as a free agent, but a report in March from TEAMtalk suggested that Celtic were pushing the hardest for the German.
Celtic are expected to make significant changes this summer, with manager Martin O’Neill admitting he is likely to leave after his stint in charge.
Celtic spent most of the season behind Hearts in the table but they overcame their rivals to secure the title on the final day in controversial circumstances.
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