Paderborn boss Ralf Kettemann has left the door open for Mika Baur to join Celtic this summer - just days after cooling speculation over the midfielder.
The Hoops have been in talks with the Bundesliga new boys over the Germany Under-21 cap, and have already seen a £4million bid turfed out this summer.
The Scottish Premiership champions have been hopeful that they can land a deal with talks ongoing despite the German club playing hardball over his valuation - despite the 22-year-old's contract expiring next summer.
Baur's absence fuels speculation
He was left out of the squad for their friendly clash against Southampton on Wednesday with the club stating he missed out through illness. But that only intensified speculation that a deal could be imminent, with Arne Engels in demand this summer with a bid from West Ham already booted out by the Scottish champions.
Torino midfielder Gvidas Gineitis has also been touted as a replacement for Engels, but with the likes of Reo Hatate and Paulo Bernardo facing uncertain futures more numbers are required in the engine room.
Kettemann's change of stance
After the game with Osnabrück last weekend, Kettemann declared he felt the player would be with the club for the upcoming Bundesliga campaign. But speaking to Kicker, he concedes the club are already eyeing replacements as they prepare for Baur's departure: "We have good players internally and also good ideas in case something happens. So I'm relaxed."
Alderweireld's warning on Engels
Former Belgium and Tottenham Hotspur defender, Toby Alderweireld has warned the Hoops about the potential impact of losing Engels in a big money deal.
The Belgium international has attracted interest from across Europe just months after Nottingham Forest saw a £25m bid booted out by the Scottish champions - with the Hoops expected to hold out for a similar fee this summer.
Alderweireld told Hajper: "Arne Engels has shown us how special he is by playing week in, week out, proving himself for Celtic, and he will not be easy to replace.
"Players who are consistent are always so important. Anyone can have a YouTube compilation made about them even if they only play well every four games but to be a player who is always seven out of 10 every week, that’s what a manager wants. He will be a big loss to Celtic."
Hassan rejects Saudi offer
Celtic are in talks to bring in Egypt World Cup star Haissem Hassan - who trained on his own on Friday after returning to Real Oviedo following the tournament. Oviedo chiefs are sticking to his £10m release clause despite the wide man having just a year remaining on his deal.
Spanish outlet La Nueva Espana claims that Hassan's representatives received a big money offer from the Saudi Pro League - despite having failed to agree a fee with his club. The report suggests the wide man was offered a five-year contract worth £2m per year - but has turned it down in order to concentrate on finding a new club in Europe.
