Celtic face late Ajax competition for Kasper Dolberg | OneFootball

I’ll just say Oh no, I’d rather go in stronger but this is a family publication. It looks like Celtic’s transfer equivalent of last-minute shopping on Christmas Eve may be fraught with more danger than the prospect of bargains. Who’d have thought?

According to Dutch outlet De Telegraaf Ajax – fresh from selling Brian Brobbey to Sunderland – have decided to add some late competition to Celtic’s days-long pursuit of Anderlecht striker Kasper Dolberg. The Amsterdam club is “committed to the return of striker Kasper Dolberg (27),” with the Dane already sounded out and reportedly open to returning to the Johan Cruijff ArenA, with the article also reporting “The Dane has now been sounded out and has indicated that he would like to return to Amsterdam”.

Ajax’s need is pretty clear. With Brobbey’s departure, the club is urgently seeking a new frontman before Tuesday’s midnight deadline, and Dolberg – who made his professional breakthrough at Ajax between 2016 and 2019 – is high on their list. During that spell, the Danish international scored 45 goals in 199 matches, earning a reputation as the “ice rabbit” – don’t ask me I just translated it – before moving on to OGC Nice for over €20 million. He later had loan spells at Sevilla and Hoffenheim, before Anderlecht signed him for €5 million two years ago.

AEK Athens v RSC Anderlecht – UEFA Conference League ATHENS, GREECE – AUGUST 28 : Kasper Dolberg forward of RSC Anderlecht with a laser in his eyes during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 play-off round second leg between AEK Athens and RSC Anderlecht on August 28, 2025 in Athens, Greece, 28/08/2025 Athens Greece. Photo IMAGO Jan De Meuleneir

Dolberg has rediscovered form in Brussels, hitting 24 goals in 45 games last season and already netting 5 in 9 this campaign. With Anderlecht missing out on European football after elimination by AEK Athens in the Conference League play-off, the Belgian side is open to a transfer to help balance the books – despite Dolberg being under contract until 2027.

Celtic, for our part, have reportedly tabled a €9 million bid for the striker. But Ajax’s late arrival on the scene is exactly the kind of headache we could do without. This was meant to be one of those “get it over the line” signings, but it seems we may now have to rely on that well-crafted transfer strategy of ours – the one that allows us to move seamlessly to our 12th or 13th choices in short order.

Keep the Faith, as they say. But it might be time to buckle up – this one could go right to the wire.

Niall J