Patrick Bamford was one of 13 senior players to leave Leeds United in the summer as the club and Bamford mutually agreed to terminate his contract and now, details of his next club have emerged.
Daniel Farke revealed that he had told Bamford that the striker was not in his Leeds plans after the pre-season friendly against Man United in Sweden. It comes after a number of injury-ravaged campaigns.
Bamford has not been able to replicate the kind of form that saw him have a hand in 25 Premier League goals in 2020-21, earning an England cap. After seven years at Leeds, Bamford has finally left the club.
Wrexham ruled out a move for Bamford, while the chances of a return to Middlesbrough were quickly downplayed. Now a free agent, Bamford is looking for a new home and Celtic have decided to move.
Photo by Ed Sykes/Getty ImagesCeltic open talks to sign Patrick Bamford after Leeds United exit
According to a report from The Herald, Brenden Rodgers’ Celtic have picked up the phone and given Bamford a call. It comes after moves for Kasper Dolberg and David Fofana fell through on deadline day.
Bamford is likely to be tempted by a move to the Scottish champions, who find themselves in the Europa League group stage. If Bamford does sign, it’s unclear if Bamford will be registered for the Europa League.
But according to a newspaper as reputable as The Herald, Bamford is a free agent target for Celtic. He is not the only free agent Celtic are considering, with Emmanuel Dennis an option after he left Forest.
Photo by George Wood/Getty ImagesBrendan Rodgers tried to sign Patrick Bamford before, in 2016
Appointed Celtic manager for the first time in 2016 after his Liverpool stint, Rodgers was keen on a new striker in Glasgow. Celtic eventually signed Moussa Dembele, who remains an icon for his Glasgow stint.
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But beforehand, Celtic were among the clubs eyeing Bamford. Still only 21 and at Chelsea with Rodgers while the Celtic manager was working in Chelsea’s academy, Estadio Deportivo said Celtic were keen.
Nothing came to fruition but nine years later, it appears that Bamford could move to Celtic after his exit from Leeds. From Elland Road outcast to a Europa League striker with one of Britain’s biggest clubs.