Declan Rice came close to joining Celtic before making a breakthrough with West Ham, according to Brendan Rodgers.

Brendan Rodgers disclosed that Celtic was on the verge of signing Declan Rice, underscoring the unpredictable nature of January transfer dealings. While expressing his desire to strengthen the squad early in the month, Rodgers cautioned about the complexities involved, citing the example of Rice, who eventually moved from West Ham to Arsenal in a £105 million deal during the summer.

Rodgers, emphasizing the importance of immediate impact from new signings, acknowledged ongoing efforts behind the scenes to reinforce the team early in the transfer window. Reflecting on his past experience, he recounted a three-month pursuit of Declan Rice during his initial tenure with Celtic. Despite being all set to join, Rice’s transfer fell through due to an injury at West Ham, leading him to secure a spot in the team, altering the course of his career.

The Celtic manager remains optimistic about potential additions in the early part of the month but highlighted the challenges, acknowledging the dynamic nature of deals. He reiterated the club’s commitment to supporting the team’s needs and mentioned ongoing work to enhance the squad.

While looking to streamline the squad during the current transfer window, Rodgers acknowledged the external factors influencing the process. He emphasized the need to balance player departures with ensuring the squad’s strength for the latter part of the season, expressing a cautious approach to player movements based on the club’s ability to secure necessary reinforcements.