Celtic are reportedly still alive in the race for Tjark Ernst, despite reports that Wolfsburg had agreed a deal for the goalkeeper.
Hertha Berlin stopper Ernst is one of several potential Kasper Schmeichel replacements being targeted by the Hoops.
Wolfsburg are newly relegated to the 2. Bundesliga, ending a 29-year run in the top-flight. They came close to signing Daizen Maeda last summer.
Now, they are fishing in the same ponds as the Celts, though reports that they had won the race for Ernst have now been contradicted.
Has he done enough?
Wolfsburg ‘still working on’ deal to sign Celtic target Tjark Ernst
According to Florian Plettenberg of Sky Germany, the deal is not yet done, and Wolfsburg are continuing to work for an agreement.
He crucially has a €4 million release clause in his contract.
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This is expected to be activated after Ernst put up some of the best shot-stopping numbers in the division last season
He made two appearances for the German U21 national team last season. Aged 23, he is in his second campaign as first choice in the German capital.
Stefan Ortega, also linked with Celtic, has reportedly rejected Hertha for now, theoretically making him an option in himself for the Hoops.
Feyenoord, Hamburg and Freiburg have also been linked with Ernst, who is 6 ft 4 in and regularly involved in possession for Hertha.
A goalkeeper appears to be a priority for Celtic’s recruitment department this summer, with Nikolas Polster being linked with the Hoops.
They haven’t had as much luck with Jari de Busser, who has recently agreed a move to AZ Alkmaar.
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Martin O'Neill has some plans…
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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