Luis Palma looks set to be at the centre of a good old-fashioned transfer tug-of-war this summer.
His form on loan at Lech Poznan from Celtic was excellent for much of the campaign, helping them to back-to-back Ekstraklasa titles.
This has generated interest from Sevilla, who have reportedly been watching the winger for several months.
It’s an advantageous position for the Hoops, for whom a major rebuild beckons this summer.
Luis Palma: overrated or underrated?
Sevilla ‘closely monitoring’ Luis Palma as Celtic talks stall
According to Honduran journo Alvaro de la Rocha, Sevilla are closely monitoring the situation of Palma ahead of the window.
The door is opening for the La Liga side, with Lech Poznan yet to reach an agreement to make the loan permanent.
READ MORE: Martin O’Neill clamps ‘crass’ Carl Frampton after Celtic speech heckled
Lech have already sent several bids to Celtic for Palma’s services, with the buyout clause in his loan proving too expensive for the Polish club.
Palma has been public in his desire to stay in Poznan, but this could require a financial sacrifice.
Speaking to the media in February, he said: “I hope to stay at Lech for a long time, but it’s not just my decision.
“I’m doing my thing day by day, and I’m very happy about it. I’m sticking to that and I hope to stay at this great club, although not everything depends on me.”
The club’s president and sporting director have both made public statements confirming their intention to buy Palma.
Perhaps the time has come to walk the walk instead of talking the talk. Sevilla likely aren’t the only other side interested after he registered double figures in both goals and assists league.
Sevilla aren’t quite the force that they were in the 2010s, having finished in the bottom half of the table in each of the last four seasons.
Last year, they avoided relegation by just a point.
Would you give Luis Palma another chance at Celtic?
How Luis Palma’s Celtic teammates fared on loan
Johnny Kenny is planning to return to Celtic after a successful period on loan at Bolton Wanderers, who he aided in their promotion to the Championship.
Hannover are in talks to sign Maik Nawrocki, but their failed bid for promotion to the German top-flight could tempt Bundesliga clubs to enter the race.
In the same position, Stephen Welsh has enjoyed a stellar season at Motherwell. Whether or not he fancies a return to his backup role at Celtic remains to be seen.
Shin Yamada is also set to return from the German second tier; he scored three goals in the last five games of the season with Prussia Munster.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
