What is clear is that Celtic boss Brendan Rogers is an admirer of the 26-year-old and wants to tempt the player to Glasgow.
Nagbe even visited Parkhead for the recent Champions League tie with Barcelona, but it now appear to the media that the Hoops will be turning their attention elsewhere ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.
With 10 caps for the USA, Nagbe was a key man as the Timbers won the 2015 MLS Cup, playing 42 times during the club’s victorious season.
However, a disappointing 2016 campaign followed, with Portland’s failure to reach the play-offs confirmed with a 4-1 final-day defeat to Vancouver Whitecaps.
There could be a few more twists in this one before any red line is put through the deal. Watch this space when the cat and mouse games are at an end.
