OPINION
The World Cup will not have helped with many club’s plans during the summer transfer market, and Celtic are likely to be one of those who have had to delay their business for a couple of weeks.
The Hoops will no doubt have been looking at bolstering their squad with some top quality talent but the competition out in Russia will have seen a number of their targets linking up with their international sides and leaving Brendan Rodgers waiting over a potential move.
However, with the round of 16 out of the way, there will be many stars jetting out on holiday and eventually back to their current clubs, where negotiations can finally get underway.
One man who will be heading back from Russia along with his international team mates is Swiss defender Fabian Schar, who was forced to sit on the sidelines through suspension as they were knocked out by Sweden.
El Desmarque claim on their website that the 26-year-old Deportivo La Coruna centre back has been watched closely by Celtic, in the build up to summer, and that following the Spanish side’s relegation from La Liga, he can be bought for just £3.5million (€4million) thanks to a release clause in his contract.
With 42 cap for his country and top flight experience in Spain, Germany and Switzerland, not to mention games in the Europa League and Champions League, Schar would bring a wealth of talent to Celtic Park were he to join, and with his World Cup exploits over, that release clause must be triggered straight away.
His arrival would be a massive coup for Rodgers, bolstering an already impressive back line with yet more ability, and would be a huge step forward in their hopes for success on the European stage.