CELTIC have been linked with highly-rated Torino star Gvidas Gineitis.
The champions allegedly see the Lithuanian international as the ideal replacement for Arne Engels who is being chased by Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace and Roma.
Twenty-two-year-old Gineitis, who has won 32 caps, is also attracting interest from the Bundesliga, but the Hoops have received glowing reports about the powerful middle-of-the-park performer, according to a report in the Scottish Sun.
The 6ft 3in star still has three years left on his contract at the Serie A club after signing an extension last summer, but agent Dmitry Vinokurov has revealed the Italian side will consider offers as interest mounts in the player.
He said: “Torino holds Gvidas in high regard and believes in his future.
WANTED MAN…Arne Engels is £25million target for three clubs.
“The player has steadily improved within the club and is considered an important part of the project.
“At the same time, Gvidas is ambitious, as any player competing at this level should be.
“There have already been expressions of interest from other clubs, which is natural considering his age, performance, and potential.
“If an interesting offer were to arrive for both Torino and Gvidas, it would certainly be carefully evaluated.”
Martin O’Neill, yet to make any additions, is keen to bolster his squad and there will be activity in the summer window.
Former Arsenal, Liverpool and England midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who joined as a free agent in February, looks unlikely to be handed the 12-month option on his original deal.
Kelechi Iheanacho, so often a goal hero in the double-winning season, is in limbo after the deadline for his 12-month option expired.
Loan players Julian Araujo, Marcelo Saracchi, Tomas Cvancara, Junior Adamu, Joel Mvuka and Benjamin Arthur have returned to their parent clubs while Luis Palma, Stephen Welsh and Hayato Inamura have left Parkhead on permanent deals.
