Celtic are closing in on a deal to sign Bosnian international midfielder Ermin Mahmic from Czech club Slovan Liberec. The Scottish Premiership champions have reached a broad agreement over a transfer that will see the Glasgow side pay an initial £7 million for the 21-year-old.
The agreement for the creative midfielder includes up to £1.5 million in potential add-ons further down the line. Mahmic has his heart set on moving to Scotland in the coming days, provided there are no last-minute hitches to the deal.
Celtic scouts identified Mahmic before he made a name for himself at the World Cup finals. After scoring goals against Qatar and Switzerland, the midfielder attracted interest from a host of top clubs before deciding to join Celtic.
If completed, Mahmic would become manager Martin O'Neill's fourth summer signing. His arrival could also pave the way for midfielder Reo Hatate to move on from Parkhead.
Celtic transfer spending and squad rebuild
Celtic have already spent £30 million during the current transfer window on Camilo Duran, Kasper Hogh, Mika Baur and Haissem Hassan. However, the Scottish champions have brought in more than that amount through the combined sales of Daizen Maeda, Arne Engels, Maik Nawrocki and Luis Palma, leaving them with funds to invest further.
Mahmic looks set to be joined in Glasgow by Chelsea full-back Landon Emenalo. A minor injury had temporarily held up a proposed year-long loan deal for the 18-year-old defender, but talks between the two clubs have now resumed.
Emenalo is being targeted to provide cover at left-back for Scotland international Kieran Tierney.
Further midfield targets for Martin O'Neill
O'Neill is also actively in the market for a new holding midfielder as he continues to reshape his squad. Hajduk Split midfielder Niko Sigur, a Canadian international currently playing in Croatia, presently tops the manager's wanted list.
