Mitchel Bakker to Celtic: Celtic could have an unexpected opportunity in the final weeks of the transfer window after Dutch defender Mitchel Bakker was made available by Atalanta.
Mitchel Bakker to Celtic: Free transfer chance emerges
According to transfer journalist Ben Jacobs, with the update relayed by Transfer Feed, the Serie A side are prepared to let the 26-year-old leave on a free transfer despite his contract running until June 2027. Celtic are understood to hold a genuine interest as they continue searching for defensive reinforcements before the deadline.
It’s an eye-catching development. Players with Bakker’s experience don’t often become available without a transfer fee attached. His time in Bergamo, though, never really took off.
After arriving with a strong reputation built during spells at Paris Saint-Germain, Bayer Leverkusen and Lille, Bakker struggled to convince Atalanta’s coaching staff. The numbers tell the story better than anything else. Across the 2025/26 Serie A season, he made just one substitute appearance and spent only nine minutes on the pitch. That lack of football explains why every party now appears ready to move on.
Why Celtic could be tempted
Free transfers always attract attention, especially when the player is still only 26. Celtic wouldn’t need to commit a sizeable fee, allowing the club to direct more of their budget towards other positions.
Bakker also offers versatility. He’s comfortable at left-back and can operate higher up the flank when required, bringing physicality and pace that once made him one of Europe’s more promising young defenders. On paper, there’s obvious value. The wages would still require careful negotiation, but avoiding a transfer fee naturally changes the financial equation.
Why this deal carries real risk
Scratch beneath the surface and the picture becomes much less convincing.
Nine league minutes across an entire campaign isn’t simply a slow season. It’s a footballer arriving without rhythm, confidence or competitive sharpness. Celtic don’t have the luxury of waiting months for someone to rediscover his best form, particularly with European fixtures demanding immediate consistency. Bakker has never won a senior Netherlands cap either, despite the early promise that surrounded his career. Past reputation only takes you so far.
Celtic may have bigger priorities
Martin O’Neill already has Kieran Tierney available on the left, while Liam Scales remains a dependable squad option after playing his part in last season’s domestic double. That makes the balance of the squad difficult to ignore.
Following the narrow opening-day win over Dundee, O’Neill admitted his players looked rusty. Fresh attacking quality feels like a far more pressing need than another left-sided defender, particularly one who requires significant rebuilding.
Interest from Marseille, where Bruno Genesio is reportedly considering a loan move, could also complicate matters if competition develops. Thomas Tuchel admired Bakker’s athletic profile earlier in his career, but recruitment can’t be based on old opinions. His recent record simply doesn’t justify handing over valuable wage space.
