Celtic have set their target on a League One striker should one of their key attackers leave this summer.
Scottish champions Celtic are preparing for the 2025/26 season, where they’ll go head-to-head with Rangers for the Scottish Premiership.
With some of their key players being targeted by clubs in the Premier League, the Bhoys are making sure they’ve got their potential replacements picked and ready.
Japanese attacker Daizen Maeda is one man attracting interest. This has led to Celtic setting their sights on Wycombe Wanderers striker Richard Kone as a potential replacement.
Celtic Target Richard Kone
The Bhoys have picked out Kone as a potential option should they need to recruit a new forward this summer, according to a report from TEAMtalk.
If they are to agree a deal with Wycombe, it’s expected they will have to depart with around £7 million – a figure TEAMtalk have suggested could be off-putting to Celtic.
The Scottish champions aren’t the only team interested in Kone. Brentford, Norwich City, Crystal Palace, Toulouse, and Royal Union Saint-Gilloise are also keeping tabs on the 22-year-old.
Kone’s Impressive Wycombe Season
Kone was the fourth-highest rated player in the Wycombe squad using Sofascore’s average rating, with a 7.05 in League One games.
The 22-year-old was the club’s top scorer with 18 goals in the league. He was some way ahead of Daniel Udoh, who finished with eight goals.
Kone led the Wycombe side in most attacking statistics. He had 2.4 shots per match, one shot on target per match, and had the highest scoring frequency with a goal every 153 minutes.
One thing he’ll likely want to improve next season is reducing the number of big chances he missed throughout the season. In the 2024/25 season, Kone missed 16 big chances.
How Likely Is It That a Move Will Happen?
It appears that any deal for Kone does rely on Maeda leaving the club this summer. There is interest in the Japanese forward, but it’s not a certainty that he will depart.
As mentioned earlier in the piece, Kone is attracting interest from clubs in England and Europe. The sticking point at the moment appears to be the fee.
Wycombe turned down a £5 million bid from Luton Town in January. As reported by TEAMtalk, are expecting to receive around £7 million.
If Kone digs his feet in and demands a move away, that price tag could come down. This could start a bidding war for the young striker.
