Sources: McGree arrives in Teeside for Middlesbrough medical as Celtic hijacked
Middlesbrough are in advanced talks to sign Australian midfielder Riley McGree in a huge blow to Celtic, Football Insider can exclusively reveal.
The 23-year-old is understood to be on Teesside for talks and a medical after Boro made a breakthrough in talks with MLS expansion club Charlotte FC.
A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Boro have pushed the boat out for McGree as Chris Wilder is keen to bring in the defensive midfielder.
It is believed they have offered McGree higher wages than the personal terms offered by Celtic.
Ange Postecolglou had been confident of landing the midfielder before the Scottish giants were hijacked by the English Championship outfit.
The Australian has already been busy in the transfer window and was hopeful compatriot McGree would be the latest addition.
Celitc have added Japanese trio Daizen Maeda, Yosuke Ideguchi and Reo Hatate already this month.
A club source told Football Insider on Monday (10 January) they are close to turning Jota's loan deal into a permanent one.
They then want to add another wide midfielder before the end of the transfer window.
Postecoglou may also now look to bring in a new defensive midfielder as they look set to miss out on McGree.
The Australia international spent the second half of last season on loan at English Championship outfit Birmingham City but is under contract at Charlotte FC.
The MLS club kick off their inaugural season at the end of next month.