By Wayne Veysey

30th May, 2020 | 9:00am

Exclusive: Real Sociedad plotting to sign ace after Celtic talks over £8m deal

Real Sociedad are plotting a move to sign Celtic loan star Mohamed Elyounoussi this summer, Football Insider understands.

The La Liga high flyers are keeping close tabs on the Norway international winger as Southampton prepare to listen to offers for him.

A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Sociedad are ready to explore a permanent move for Elyounoussi and battle Celtic for his signature.

The Premier League club have previously told Celtic it would take £8-10million to land the winger permanently.

However, that was before the Covid-19 pandemic turned football’s finances upside down and the Hoops may press for a cheaper deal.

They face competition from Sociedad, who are fourth in La Liga and pushing for a Champions League place when football in Spain resumes next month.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has made clear he would like to sign Elyounoussi permanently after the Scottish top flight season was terminated last week.

There is set to be extensive negotiations with Southampton over multiple deals, including Fraser Forster and Olivier Ntcham.

The Saints have made Ntcham one of their top targets to replace Tottenham and Everton target Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg this summer.

Elyounoussi made an outstanding initial impact at Parkhead, scoring seven goals and providing six assists in 15 games before suffering a foot injury in November.

The left winger subsequently failed to get an extended run of games before the mid-March lockdown.

In other Celtic news, it can be REVEALED that the club will sell senior star this summer if £12million asking price is met.