Celtic are reportedly eyeing Rapid Vienna winger Isak Jansson as a potential replacement for Nicolas Kuhn, who is set to join Como in a £16.5 million move.

Brendan Rodgers will be keen to reinvest the funds from Kuhn’s departure to strengthen the squad ahead of the new season.

Jansson, 23, has impressed since joining Rapid Vienna, contributing nine goals and six assists last season. His performances have attracted interest from several European clubs, including Lazio, Fiorentina, and Paris FC.

Rapid Vienna’s sporting director, Markus Katzer, revealed that the club identified Jansson as a direct replacement for Kuhn, focusing on his ability to beat opponents one-on-one.

Jansson’s contract with Rapid Vienna runs until 2028, and the club is reportedly seeking a significant fee for the winger, who they signed from FC Cartagena for around £200,000.

With Jota sidelined until 2026 due to injury, Celtic are in need of reinforcements on the wings. Rodgers emphasized the importance of bringing in the right players to maintain the team’s competitiveness.

Katzer said: (RecordSport), “We needed a replacement for Nicolas Kuhn after he signed for Celtic.

“We asked our manager what type of player he was looking for in particular and he told us he wanted someone who could beat a man, one-on-one.

“We did a wide data search across our target markets and in terms of dribbling and taking on players, Jansson appeared in the top three.

“We looked at a lot of his videos and he was exactly what we wanted.

“Usually, we would watch a player live, but with the timescale and the closing of the transfer window, we had no time and had to trust the data.

“The risk was relatively low because we also know that in eight to nine out of ten cases, the impressions from video scouting are confirmed during live scouting.

“And with Jansson, it wasn’t a risk at all because we first agreed on a free loan first and then a small transfer fee of £200,000.

“One week after we exercised the purchase option in the season, we had an offer of more than £1 million on the table.

“He will clearly be transferred for many times what we paid for him. He has been an amazing success for us.”

Rodgers has made it clear this summer that player sales must lead to meaningful reinvestment. While Kuhn’s exit brings a significant windfall, the Irishman will be determined to see it spent wisely, especially with Champions League qualifiers on the horizon.

Jansson fits the mould of what Celtic have done well in recent years: identify value early and allow talent to flourish in Glasgow. However, with other clubs circling, the Hoops may have to move quickly and pay a premium to land the winger.

The club’s recruitment staff will be well aware of the pitfalls of waiting too long in the window. If Jansson is indeed the man they want, they’ll need to show clear intent, both in negotiations and in the valuation they’re prepared to meet.

Celtic’s previous success stories out of the Austrian Bundesliga should give confidence in the market, and Jansson may be next in line if a deal can be struck before interest ramps up further.