The race for Michael Noonan is being prolonged to the point of a saga.
Celtic are huge admirers of Noonan, having chased him over the course of multiple windows.
But they aren’t alone in the race for the teenager. Noonan has been in this movie before – he first had to make a transfer decision over a year ago.
Despite intense interest from Manchester City, he opted to move from St Pats to Shamrock Rovers aged 16 – but ahead of his 18th birthday this summer, he looks set to finally leave Ireland.
After Celtic presented a bid for Noonan, it was reported that he was closing in on a move to German side Hoffenheim, but this was almost a fortnight ago.
How many more signings do you think Celtic need to win the title?
Update on Celtic target Michael Noonan
According to the Irish Examiner, Rovers have rejected two offers from Hoffenheim for Noonan.
However, their resolve is set to be tested again with an offer nearer to their valuation of around £2 million.
READ MORE: Celtic reject eight-figure Bundesliga bid for Sebastian Tounekti, report says
Chelsea are also strongly in the race. Hoffenheim represent a strong option at the minute due to their outstanding performance in the Bundesliga this season.
The club are on track to qualify for the Champions League next season, and currently sit third in the league table, behind only Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
EU rules also allow Noonan to head straight to Germany this month if a deal is agreed, whereas a move to the UK would force him to wait until his 18th birthday in the summer.
Noonan is the youngest-ever goalscorer in the UEFA Conference League, scoring for Rovers against Molde in last season’s knockout rounds.
He scored six goals in 30 appearances in last year’s Irish Premier Division, which was won by Rovers.
Ironically, he moved to the club to take the place of Johnny Kenny, who has since been in and around the Celtic first team.
Is the Irish market ideal for Celtic?
Martin O’Neill on Celtic transfers
Speaking about transfers ahead of Celtic’s Europa League clash with Utrecht, O’Neill said: “We need to strengthen the squad, that’s what we’re trying to do.
“Whether we have anyone in for Sunday, I don’t know. We are making strenuous efforts to improve the team.
“I think that we can do something. I know days are pressing, that’s very very obvious. I’m hopeful.”
He went on to indicate that qualifying for the later stages of the Europa League would make new signings even more of a necessity – though that should go without saying.
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