Celtic told '£4.3m' offer for Mika Baur will be accepted
Celtic must offer around £4.3million to land Mika Baur's services after seeing multiple bids rejected by Paderborn, sources have told Football Insider.
Baur has been identified as a top target to bolster Martin O'Neill's midfield this summer.
He was named Paderborn's Player of the Season for 2025-26 after helping fire them to promotion to the Bundesliga.
Celtic have already seen two offers for his services knocked back by the German side as they hold out for a bigger fee.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, Paderborn want at least £4.3m to part ways with the 22-year-old.
Paderborn sporting director Sebastian Lange confirmed last week that they had turned down a bid worth £4m from Celtic for Baur.
Celtic must meet Mika Baur's valuation as deal stalls
Baur is keen to join the Parkhead outfit after being left out of his side's latest pre-season friendly against Southampton in midweek.
The Hoops are looking to accelerate a deal as several key midfielders are linked to the exit door with the new season on the horizon.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "Celtic are trying to get him in as cheap as possible because he's only got one year left on his contract. Paderborn, obviously, are trying to hold out for the highest asking price they can get, I think of around €5million (£4.3m).
"Celtic have made a couple of offers for him, and I'm sure they're getting closer to bridging that gap to what Paderborn are demanding and what they're willing to pay as well."
What has sporting director Lange said about Baur's future?
Celtic are keen to get more additions in as quickly as possible, with their Premiership campaign kicking off on Monday evening against Dundee.
Arne Engels is moving closer to leaving the club after a bid from West Ham, while Reo Hatate and Benjamin Nygren have also been linked away.
Paderborn sporting director Lange has admitted that his club will not stand in the way of the 22-year-old leaving, but insisted that they hold the cards in any potential deal.
Speaking to Kicker last week, he said: "The financial side might say that something is of interest to SC Paderborn. But until that happens, there's no point in discussing it."
"All the players who are here are fully motivated to play in the Bundesliga. The lads certainly have goals and dreams. But if someone has a contract and we're facing a highlight season, then we'll decide what happens."