Daniel Farke dealt transfer blow as Celtic offered Leeds United and Preston North End 'target'

Leeds United are considering a move for Charles Pickel when the market reopens - according to reports - but will encounter competition from Celtic and Preston if they make a concrete offer for the Cremonese midfielder. Leeds are thought to be keen on bolstering their options in the engine room this summer.

With an immediate return to the Premier League still on the radar, Daniel Farke and key figures behind the scenes at Elland Road are planning for every possible scenario. Leeds are involved in a three-way shoot-out for automatic promotion alongside Championship rivals Leicester City and Ipswich Town.

Whoever misses out will get a second chance via the play-offs. However, the budget available to Farke for targets this summer will be entirely dependant on what division the Whites find themselves in next season.

READ MORE: Seven contract decisions Leeds United have to make before transfer market reopens

Speculation over Pickel is starting to gather pace, meanwhile, with reports from Football Scotland indicating that he has been offered to Scottish giants Celtic. The Hoops are understood to be in the market for a player in his role and the 26-year-old defensive midfielder could be earmarked for a switch by his current side.

Pickel has two years left to run on his Cremonese deal. The former FC Basel man has totted-up 24 appearances in Serie B this season - with three goals and one assist to show for his efforts - while he has been capped 12 times by DR Congo since making his international debut in September 2023.

Football Scotland suggest Celtic are his preferred transfer, as thing stand, but Leeds and Preston are among other potential suitors for the player. No would-be fee is mentioned in the article.

Pickel counts Basel, Grasshoppers, FC Schaffhausen (loan), Neuchatel Xamax (loan), Grenoble and Famalicao as his former clubs. He also represented DR Congo at AFCON 2024.