Celtic still have a lot to play for this season. The league title race is very much on, although the club's performances are a cause for concern. On the other hand, the Hoops are also in the Scottish Cup semi-finals, where they will be taking on St Mirren once again. Based on the recent meeting between the two, it would be a mistake to take that fixture lightly.

A few eyes are already on the summer transfer window as well. A large section of the fanbase has grown tired of the lifeless football that Celtic have played over the course of this season. They have a significantly worse goal difference than Rangers and Hearts. Even Motherwell are just one behind the Hoops.

That tells you how tight most of Celtic's games have been this season. It is hard to remember the last time they won comfortably.

Celtic need to add to their options going forward. But at the same time, they need to strengthen in the defensive phase of the game as well.

A German defensive midfielder seems to be on the club's wish list heading into the summer window. And it looks like the €8 million-rated player is going to be available as a free agent.

According to TEAMtalk, defensive midfield reinforcement is high on the agenda for Celtic. FC Köln’s Eric Martel is on the club's radar.

Martel is a regular starter for FC Koln in the Bundesliga. He has mostly played in defensive midfield but is also capable of playing at centre-back. Both are positions where the Hoops are expected to be looking to strengthen this summer.

Martel was a regular at U21 level for Germany as well but has not gotten a senior team call-up yet.

The Bundesliga has been a particular league of focus for Celtic in recent years. They paid a club-record fee to sign Arne Engels from FC Augsburg a couple of summers back.

More recently, they brought in Tomas Cvancara from Borussia Monchengladbach and Junior Adamu from SC Freiburg. So, it should come as no surprise if they have their eyes set on someone like Martel, especially since he looks set to become a free agent at the end of his contract with FC Koln this summer.

Defensive midfield has been a problem position for Celtic for years now. The likes of Ismaila Soro, Tomoki Iwata and Oliver Abildgaard were not able to cement themselves in the starting XI.

Now, one could argue that Celtic don't need a defensive midfielder on most days. But in the big games, we have often seen the midfield lose control of the game. That might not happen as often if they had someone like Martel.

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