CELTIC are reportedly locked in a three-way transfer tug-of-war as they battle to land target Marcel Halstenberg.
The defender’s former club Hannover are also keen to capture him while ambitious Bundesliga II outfit Red Bull Leipzig have now joined the chase for the 23-year-old.
Newly-promoted Red Bull are on the next stage of their crusade to reach the top-flight of German football after a meteoric rise.
The club was formed five years ago by the energy drink-maker after they bought the license of Fifth Division side SSV Markranstadt with the intention of transforming them a Bundesliga outfit within a decade.
Red Bull are now just one step away and company Sporting Director Ralf Rangnick, the former coach of Schalke, has been installed as gaffer after a four-year exile from management.
Rangnick intends to build another new squad for this term’s tougher challenge and Halstenberg is believed to be a target.
The defender has impressed Celtic’s scouting network as they look to boost their options in the position and offer serious competition to current first-choice Emilio Izaguirre.
Initial option Mitchell Dijks has been swayed to join Ajax and Halstenberg has emerged as one of the main potential signing candidates for the left-back position.
Celtic are monitoring the position with Hannover already having a bid rejected as St Pauli, who are hoping to get as much as £750,000 for the player, look to make money on an asset they will lose for free in 12 months time when his contract expires.
