Sources: Celtic close in on Mika Baur after new talks held
Celtic are advancing in talks with Paderborn over a £4million move for midfielder Mika Baur, sources have told Football Insider.
The Scottish giants are working on a deal to lure the 22-year-old from the Bundesliga new boys to Parkhead before the new season starts.
Baur is said by sources to be keen on a move to Celtic, who are keen to take advantage of the player entering the final year of his contract, which expires in June 2027.
Martin O'Neill has suffered a tough transfer window up to now, with Celtic fans growing increasingly annoyed with their lack of business.
The Hoops want to make several more high-profile additions to their squad this summer, with the start of the Premiership season now just nine days away.
Baur is a relatively unknown quantity to many Celtic fans, but helped Paderborn win promotion to the Bundesliga last season from the second tier.
Mika Baur's career so far and interesting facts that fans must know
Baur was born in a small town in south-west Germany, and his father is former professional handball player Markus Baur, who represented his country at the 2004 Olympic Games.
He joined the Freiburg academy at 14-years-old in 2018, and worked his way through their youth ranks to feature 61 times for their reserve side in the 3. Liga, but never made a first-team appearance for the club.
Baur moved to Paderborn in 2024 and spent time out on loan at Dynamo Dresden in the second half of that season, then became a regular with his parent club throughout the last campaign.
He registered nine goal contributions in 36 games from central midfield for Paderborn to help fire them to promotion.
Baur is regarded as equally adept with both feet and has represented Germany at several youth levels from under-18 to under-21.
He was voted Paderborn's Player of the Year for last season after being so key to their promotion push, and is now on the verge of a move to Celtic.
The 22-year-old's transfer is being brokered by former Rangers player Christian Nerlinger, who owns the CN Sports agency that also represents ex-Hoops star Nicolas Kuhn.
What is the transfer latest on Celtic's current midfield options?
O'Neill has some pretty strong depth in the middle of the park right now, but several players are still expected to leave as Baur arrives at Parkhead.
Sources have revealed to Football Insider that Celtic will accept an offer for Arne Engels this summer that is less than the £25m bid submitted by Nottingham Forest in January.
Benjamin Nygren is also expected to leave, with Premier League interest surrounding the attacking midfielder.
Hoops fans can relax regarding another of their stars, though, with sources telling Football Insider that club captain Callum McGregor is not set to leave this summer, despite recently changing his agent.