Croatia international Niko Sigur is reportedly moving closer to joining Celtic from Hajduk Split, with a deal expected to be rubber-stamped following the club's Conference League playoff second leg on Thursday.
The Glasgow club have been long-term admirers of the versatile midfielder, and Record Sport previously revealed that Alistair Johnston's international teammate Sigur is keen on a move. Reports in Croatia had suggested that Genk put in a bid for the player, but the Belgian side now appear to have moved on to other targets, with Benjamin Tahirovic - linked with both Celtic and Rangers this summer - closing in on a move to Genk.
Toulouse, Coventry and the Scottish champions have all been named as interested parties, with Hajduk demanding a £3.4million payday for Sigur.
Pundit claims deal agreed
Croatia football pundit and former Poland international Łukasz Gikiewicz has claimed that Celtic have won the race for Sigur's signature. He posted on X: "Two outgoing transfers after Thursday’s match in Częstochowa agreed. Rokas Pukštas to Middlesbrough. Niko Sigur to Celtic."
Ahead of the crucial second leg, Hajduk boss Gonzalo Garcia hinted that a move could be imminent. Asked about Sigur's future at his press conference in Poland, he said: "I feel like it always makes me proud that players that we've been working with for a while are getting attention from other clubs so I can only be happy for them, but for a coach it's not always like that."
"It's not the best when you lose players that you use a lot and work with and have a lot of trust with, but that's part of the game, so I can only be happy for them."
Mahmic deal at risk
Celtic had also been keen on adding Bosnian World Cup star Ermin Mahmic, but a deal appears to be at risk after the club's Champions League exit. The Hoops have been in talks with Slovan Liberec over a £7million deal, which would have seen the Czechs pocket another seven figures in potential add-ons.
However, Bosnian outlet Oslobodjenje claim Celtic have gone from "a very likely option to a rather unrealistic one" with the club missing out on the riches of Europe's elite competition. It is claimed that Liberec are hoping to land a package worth around £8.5million for the 21-year-old, and while the "transfer has not yet fallen through" it is now "uncertain" if Celtic will stump up the cash for the playmaker.
Record Sport understands a deal could hinge on Reo Hatate's long-term future at the club.
