Celtic told they have a star primed to beat record transfer fee as Premier League club circle red-hot ace

Former Celtic defender and assistant boss Johan Mjallby has urged the Hoops board to do ‘everything they possibly can’ to keep hold of playmaker Nicolas Kuhn amid speculation linking him with a whole host of clubs south of the border.

The 24-year-old winger is one of the most productive attackers in world football with 21 goal contributions (10 goals and 11 assists) after yet another outstanding performance against Kilmarnock, which saw him both score and register an assist at Rugby Park.

Heading into the November international break, his figures give him the third highest number of goal contributions in European football, leaving him ahead of many established superstars such as Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah, Vincius JR and even Robert Lewandowski.

His eye catching displays have caught the attention of the likes of Premier League side Fulham as well as London rivals Brentford, who have reportedly identified the German as a viable replacement for Bryan Mbeumo if he is to leave the Gtech Community Stadium this winter.

Sky Germany understand that both capital clubs have taken an interest in Kuhn, but Mjallby feels Celtic should only look to do business if the fee is above the £30m deal that the Hoops received for Matt O’Riley over the summer. That deal with Brighton became the most expensive Scottish transfer of all time.

Mjallby told The Scottish Football Social Club: “I’m pretty sure they will do everything to keep him. He is on fire and in a way he is like a new signing this summer. For the first six months it was stop-start for him, he had this tooth problem and didn’t really show what he is all about. But he is perfect for the way Brendan Rodgers wants his team to play as well.

"It’s not going to happen. Maybe if they come in with a ridiculous bid - we are talking about Matt O’Riley figures - but if it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen next summer.”

Kuhn has aspirations of climbing to the very top of the footballing ladder and has set his sights on making it into the German national team squad in the near future after previously playing for the team at under-20 level.

He told Kicker: "I want to get into the national team. There's still another goal.”

Kuhn went on to describe what he could offer the team. 

"I am a very fast-paced player who often looks for one-on-one situations, who creates as many chances as possible. I have an eye for the final pass."