Celtic Agree Joël van den Berg Deal as PSV Starlet Heads to Glasgow for Medical

The Celtic Joël van den Berg deal has taken a major step towards completion, with PSV Eindhoven and the Scottish champions reportedly reaching an agreement for the highly-rated midfielder.

Dutch journalist Rik Elfrink reports that the two clubs are now agreed in principle. Van den Berg is expected to travel to Glasgow on Monday to complete his medical and finalise the move.

The 19-year-old is also reportedly set to sign a contract running until the summer of 2030, provided there are no problems with his medical.

Reports in the Netherlands have previously placed the fee at around €4 million.

Celtic Joël van den Berg deal brings genuine potential

This is an intriguing signing.

PSV themselves describe Van den Berg as a box-to-box midfielder. His strengths include physicality, defending, passing and game intelligence.

He recorded seven goals and four assists during his breakthrough campaign and has already been involved with PSV’s senior side.

Van den Berg describes himself as someone who contributes at both ends of the pitch. That profile is particularly interesting for Celtic.

There is size, energy and athleticism there. More importantly, there appears to be considerable scope for development.

PSV clearly rate him. However, fierce competition for midfield places in Eindhoven has made regular first-team football difficult.

Celtic can offer him something different: a genuine pathway towards senior football, European competition and the pressure of playing for trophies.

Celtic must make Van den Berg one of several additions

The important point, however, is that Celtic cannot stop here.

Van den Berg looks an excellent investment in potential. At 19, though, he cannot reasonably be expected to solve every problem immediately.

Martin O’Neill’s squad still requires established, first-team-ready quality before the window closes.

That is particularly important after Celtic’s European disappointment and the significant changes already made to the squad.

Van den Berg should therefore be welcomed as an exciting addition rather than presented as the finished article.

If Celtic complete the medical and paperwork on Monday, they may have secured one of Dutch football’s more interesting young midfield talents.

Now they need to make sure he is not the last arrival through the door.

Key Takeaways

• Celtic and PSV have reportedly agreed a deal for Joël van den Berg.
• The midfielder is expected in Glasgow on Monday for a medical.
• A Celtic contract until summer 2030 is reportedly prepared.
• PSV are expected to receive around €4 million.
• Van den Berg is a physical, energetic box-to-box midfielder.
• Celtic still require further first-team-ready additions.