Celtic Set To Sign This Former Liverpool Midfielder In January: Smart From Brendan Rodgers? | OneFootball

If a recent report from The Times is believed to be true, Celtic are expected to secure the services of Bobby Clark in the January transfer window. The Red Bull Salzburg midfielder, currently on loan at Derby County, would return to the UK permanently for a fee in the region of £6m.

The 20-year-old England youth international progressed through the academy ranks of Birmingham City, Newcastle United and Liverpool, before breaking into the Merseyside team’s senior squad during Jurgen Klopp’s regime. He made 14 senior appearances for the Reds, including an impressive cameo in the 2023-24 EFL Cup final, when Klopp’s ‘kids’ clinched a memorable victory at Wembley Stadium.

However, Liverpool sanctioned his £10m, plus a 17.5% sell-on fee, move to Salzburg, following Pep Ljinders’ recommendation. The Austrian heavyweights appointed the former Reds’ assistant boss as their first-team manager, before dismissing him in December after a dreadful run of results. Clark saw a reduction in minutes under Thomas Letsch and, therefore, joined Derby County on a season-long loan for regular gametime.

IPSWICH, ENGLAND – AUGUST 30: Bobby Clark of Derby County in action against Ashley Young of Ipswich Town during the Sky Bet Championship match between Ipswich Town and Derby County at Portman Road on August 30, 2025 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images)

Although John Eustace wants him to stay beyond the winter window, an agreement between Salzburg and Celtic would leave the Rams’ gaffer with no choice but to let the on-loan Englishman ply his trade north of the border. It did not work out for Clark in Austria, but the youngster could still fulfil his potential under the tutelage of Brendan Rodgers.

Why Celtic Have Made A Smart Move

The Hoops are well-equipped in the centre of the pitch, with skipper Callum McGregor being lined up alongside Benjamin Nygren and Reo Hatate as the preferred midfield trio across competitions. While McGregor drives the show from the base as a deep-lying playmaker, Nygren and Hatate are challenged and covered by Arne Engels, Luke McCowan and Paulo Bernardo for the ‘number 8’ spots. Clark might struggle for immediate playing time at Parkhead, but he holds all the traits to claim a starting status in the coming days.

Nygren has impressed since his summer arrival and replaced Engels in the middle of the park. The Belgian, roped in on a club-record fee last summer, has failed to live up to the expectations so far this year. Neither McCowan nor Bernardo is viewed as a first-team regular, and the ex-Liverpool prodigy could find himself high in the pecking order.

Clark, regarded for his creativity, link-up play and box-to-box movements, would help Rodgers solve their crisis in and around the attacking third. Their attackers have been wasteful of late, but the Bhoys are not creating enough opportunities either. It remains to be seen whether the young midfield ace injects flair and finesse if a transfer takes place in due time.