Reports in England suggest Celtic could face competition if they move for Wycombe Wanderers striker Richard Kone, following previous links reported by TeamTalk.
The 22-year-old was one of the standout performers in League One last season, finding the net 21 times and attracting interest from several clubs. His prolific return has made him one of the most sought-after young forwards in the EFL.
Richard Koné (21 ans) affole le mercato ! 🤯🇨🇮
Auteur de 21 buts & 5 passes décisives en 52 matchs avec Wycombe (D3 anglaise), l’Ivoirien est ciblé par :
🔹 Swansea 🏴
🔹 Union Sainte-Gilloise 🇧🇪
🔹 Toulouse FC 🇫🇷
🔹 Preston North End 🏴
🔹 Wrexham 🏴
🔹Celtic Glasgow 🏴… pic.twitter.com/d8Ss3uStSq— Yeelen Football (@yeelenfootballs) July 30, 2025
Swansea City have already made their intentions clear, with EFL Analysis claiming the Welsh side have lodged a £4.5 million bid. It’s thought Wycombe value their top scorer at around £5 million, leaving the Swans within touching distance of a deal.
If Celtic see Kone as a viable target, they would need to step in quickly to have any chance of beating the Championship outfit to his signature.
The Hoops’ attacking options have been under the microscope all summer. With Jota sidelined through injury and Nicolas Kuhn having departed, Daizen Maeda is expected to operate predominantly on the wing in the coming weeks.
That leaves Brendan Rodgers light in the central striking department, with Adam Idah yet to fully nail down the number nine role despite multiple opportunities in recent years.
Celtic have moved to bolster the squad in that area, adding Shin Yamada and Callum Osmand to the ranks. However, neither is proven at the required level, and both may need time to develop before they can be relied upon as regular starters. That has fuelled calls from supporters for a more established finisher to be brought in before the window closes.
Kone’s rise mirrors that of players such as Ivan Toney, who was playing in England’s third tier before stepping up to the Premier League.
Celtic famously passed up the chance to sign Toney, instead opting for Albian Ajeti, a move that failed to pay off. Kone represents another opportunity to take a calculated punt on a lower-league talent with a proven record in front of goal.
Whether Celtic make a concrete move remains to be seen, but the clock is ticking. With other clubs circling and Wycombe open to selling for the right price, hesitation could see another promising target slip through Parkhead’s grasp.
