Charles Pickel Celtic transfer scouting mission at Cremonese promotion play-offs

Celtic will be watching Charles Pickel when he plays in Cremonese’s Serie A promotion play-offs, Football Scotland understands.

We told you back in April how the central midfielder, 27, had been offered to the Hoops as they put the feelers out for a player in that position for Brendan Rodgers‘ team. Intermediates put his name to the Hoops recruitment team as someone who would fit the bill perfectly and the ball was left in the club’s court.

Cremonese finished fourth in Serie B and have a chance of promotion to the top flight through the play-offs. They take on Venezia over two legs, at home tomorrow and then away on Sunday night and Celtic scouts will be watching on as they run the rule over the DR Congo international.

There is also strong interest in the player from English Championship sides Leeds United and Preston. But as we previously reported, his preferred destination would be the Scottish champions.

Pickel was a previous teammate of Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers and remains contracted until 2026, meaning a fee would be required. The Swiss-born player started out in his homeland with Basel and Grashoppers before moving to France with Grenoble.

A stint in Portugal with Famalicão followed and the move to Cremonese came two years ago, playing one season in Serie A and one in Serie B following relegation. He is predominantly a defensive midfielder but is versatile and can cover other positions, such as right-back or a more advanced midfielder role.