Celtic to battle with Juve to sign Leipzig midfielder on free contract

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The Celtic Star

·21 January 2026

Celtic to battle with Juve to sign Leipzig midfielder on free contract

Celtic are reportedly interesting in signing Austrian midfielder Xaver Schlager, who is available on a free contract in the summer. The 28-year-old is a regular for Bundesliga side RB Leipzig but is in the final few months of his contract.

German outlet 4-4-2 states that Celtic are keen on signing the player and could make a move for him in the final stages of the window with the source claiming that Celtic are ‘dealing with’ the player.

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Schlager has made 94 appearances for Leipzig after making a €10m switch from Wolfsburg, in that time the centre mid has scored 4 goals as well as laying on 9 assists. It would be a quality acquisition if Celtic were to get a move across the line, especially given the need to bolster the squad. The middle of the park is the heartbeat of the team and a move for a seasoned pro like Schlager could take it up a level.

Celtic will face competition from Roma and Juventus with the Serie A clubs interested in bringing the 48-cap Austrian International to Italy, especially given that he will be able to move under freedom of contract in the summer.

There has to be a question as to whether Celtic could appeal to Schlager from a financial point of view as well as the uncertainty around who will be in charge in the summer. This latest link appears to tally with Celtic looking at the German market with a view to bring quality into the club.

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