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CELTIC are eyeing a January move for Rapid Vienna winger Nicolas Kuhn.
SunSport understands the Hoops have been tracking the 24-year-old German this season.
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Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers is keen to bolster his attacking options in the coming weeks.
Former Ajax and Bayern Munich prospect Kuhn, who can also play as a striker, has emerged on the Hoops’ radar after impressing with Rapid.
The Austrians paid around £500,000 for him 18 months ago and are expected to ask for at least four times that.
Speaking after Saturday’s win over Rangers, Rodgers said he was ‘focused’ on Celtic’s hunt for quality signings and has already challenged his scouting department to improve the standard of player at the club.
The weekend Old Firm win over Gers has eased the pressure on Celts at the top of the table.
But asked what fans can expect this month, Rodgers said: “I don’t know. I’ll tell you once they’re announced, once they’re in. I’m relaxed but focused. I want quality.
“And that’s what we need to improve.”
Kuhn started his career as a kid at RB Leipzig before moving to Ajax and Bayern. The Germany Under-20 cap then joined Rapid Vienna in 2022 and has starred in the Austrian Bundesliga.
A left-sided winger in the mould of Patrick Roberts, the attacker prefers to play off the right.
Kuhn has three goals and seven assists in 22 appearances for Rapid this season and has emerged as a key man.
Capped at every youth level by Germany, he was hailed as a child prodigy as clubs battled for his signature.
Ajax signed him from RB Leipzig for £1.8million five years ago, but he failed to make a first-team breakthrough.
Bayern brought him back to Germany in 2020 but he was limited to B-team games.
Kuhn then moved to Rapid 18 months ago and has now established himself as a regular.
Data and scouting site Wyscout recently named him as one of the top 12 ‘chance creators’ in world football. Kuhn is under contract until 2026 but the prospect of a move to Celtic is likely to appeal.
Meanwhile, several Hoops fringe men will be allowed to leave in the coming weeks.
Nat Phillips has already returned to Liverpool after an unsuccessful loan, while Yuki Kobayashi is expected to go back to Japan. Yosuke Ideguchi is expected to join J.League champions Vissel Kobe in the coming weeks.
Argentine left-back Alexandro Bernabei is also attracting interest from Europe and his homeland.
Aussie winger Marco Tilio is wanted back on loan by former club Melbourne City after failing to make an impact.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
And £3m summer signing Gustaf Lagerbielke looked set to be allowed to leave permanently or on loan after finding himself frozen out.
But fresh injuries to Cameron Carter-Vickers and Stephen Welsh could yet see the Swede win a reprieve, depending on the timescale for their return.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
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