Celtic 'on the brink' of seven-figure transfer for midfielder as 'successor' for Hoops hero identified
Midfielder set to become fourth deal of the summer
Celtic are ‘on the brink’ of signing Paderborn midfielder and long-term transfer target Mika Baur - who is set to be the ‘successor’ of wantaway maestro Reo Hatate.
Baur, 22, has put pen to paper on a five-year deal worth around £7m and is now finalising paperwork. The German youth international helped Paderborn reach promotion to the German Bundesliga last season and has since been on the radar of Celtic - who are hoping to include him in their European squad ahead of their all-important Champions League play-off clash with Austrian champions LASK Linz.
Heading for the Parkhead exit is Japanese midfielder Reo Hatate. The 28-year old has made it clear from the start of the window that he would like a move away and now that the Baur deal is nearing its conclusion, the way has been paved. Hatate has won nine major honours with the club since signing from J League side Kawasaki Frontale in 2023.
Celtic ‘on the brink’ of Baur transfer
According to the Daily Record: “Celtic are on the brink of signing long-term target Mika Baur in a £7m deal. The Premiership champions have secured the Paderborn star on a five-year contract and he will arrive in Scotland imminently.”
It is understood that Baur will be announced after Egyptian winger Haissem Hassan, as he also penned a seven-figure deal worth up to £9m. This means he’ll be the fourth Celtic signing of the summer window, after strikers Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh - who are already in the building.
Celtic have been long-time admirers of Baur - who came through the youth ranks at Bundesliga side Freiburg before moving to Paderborn in 2024. Transfer noise recently increased in decibels when he was left out of their pre-season friendly matchday squad against Southampton and a subsequent training session.
Baur to be Hatate’s ‘successor’
The same report suggests that Baur will take the place of Hatate - who was once one of the first names on the teamsheet at Celtic Park but has recently fallen out of favour. The Record claim the German has been signed to be his ‘successor’.
English giants West Ham have reportedly been monitoring Hatate, as well as fellow midfielder Arne Engels. The Belgian has been the subject of two rejected bids by the Hammers, who are now preparing a third. In the way that Baur is replacing Hatate, Torino transfer target Gvidas Gineitis is being viewed as the same for Engels.