The good news is that Celtic target Tjark Ernst has rejected Wolfsburg, who had appeared to be the frontrunners to sign him.
The bad news is that Feyenoord are now in active talks to sign the German, who has a £4.3 million release clause at Hertha BSC.
Martin O’Neill appears to be hunting a number-one goalkeeper this summer, with Kasper Schmeichel’s retirement creating a vacancy.
Ernst is off the back of an exceptional season in the German capital, but isn’t short on suitors.
👀 Is Paul Lambert right?
Will Martin O'Neill be demanding of the board behind the scenes?
Feyenoord ‘working on agreement’ for Tjark Ernst after Wolfsburg rejection
Despite previous reports that Wolfsburg had won the race for the 23-year-old, it has now been reported by Florian Plettenberg that he has rejected the newly-relegated 2. Bundesliga side.
Furthermore, Feyenoord are now ramping up their interest.
READ MORE: Reo Hatate confirms ‘desire’ to leave Celtic with summer exit expected
Ex-Rangers player and manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst has recently returned to De Kuip for a second spell in charge of the club, having served as an assistant to Arne Slot at Liverpool last season.
The Dutch coefficient means that the Rotterdam club are guaranteed a place in the Champions League proper after finishing second in the league last season, a significant advantage over Celtic in the race.
Celtic appear to be actively pursuing other targets, with the club now going ‘all out’ for Dinko Horkas of Las Palmas.
This could well mean that they have accepted defeat in the race for Ernst, who put up outstanding shot-stopping numbers in the German second tier last season.
It appears that Horkas would be a more expensive option, however, with the Spanish club reportedly demanding more than double Ernst’s release clause.
Celtic had also been linked with Soufiane El-Faouzi from the German second tier, but he has now committed to a new contract at Schalke.
🗣️ Reo Hatate confirms his desire to leave Celtic…
Martin O’Neill on Celtic recruitment this summer
Speaking to Celtic TV on this summer’s recruitment, O’Neill didn’t give a whole lot away.
He said: “We’ll get pre-season, try and get a couple of players in to augment the squad and try and get going.
“First of all, we’re talking about trying to augment the squad.
“Secondly, it’s getting players prepared both physically and mentally for those games, and that becomes very, very important.”
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