CELTIC have knocked back interest from Spain in Kieran Tierney as they brace themselves for firm bids for Alistair Johnston and Arne Engels.
With the transfer deadline a month away, the market place in hotting up as teams throughout Europe prepare for their respective seasons.
La Liga outfit Osasuna have made an enquiry about Tierney, according to a report in the Scottish Sun.
However, the Hoops are NOT interested in allowing the Scotland World Cup left-back, 29, to leave the champions after he sealed a lucrative five-year deal last summer when he returned to end his six-year exile at Arsenal.
AIR WE GO…Kieran Tierney celebrates scoring the opening goal in Celtic’s 2-1 win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie in March.
Tierney made 20 appearances at Real Sociedad in season 2023/24 on loan from the London club and made a big impression on the Spanish top flight.
Last season, the fans’ favourite scored six goals and provided eight assists in 53 outings as he played his part in the team’s remarkable league and Cup double-winning campaign.
While KT is staying put, the interest in Canadian right-back Johnston and Belgian playmaker Engels is intensifying.
Everton and Fulham are in a race to land the defender while Nottingham Forest have revived their interest in the midfielder who cost Celtic a record £11million when he joined from Bundesliga outfit Augsburg two years ago.
West Ham, hoping to bounce straight back to the Premier League after last season’s relegation, have already been linked with Engels.
HAPPY DAZE…Arne Engels roars in triumph after scoring Celtic’s penalty-kick leveller during the champions’ title-winning 3-1 victory over Hearts at Parkhead on May 16.
The Hoops would expect a joint fee of around £45million for the pair – if they allow them to move on.
Davie Moyes’ Merseyside club and the Craven Cottage side are understood to be close to agreeing fees and personal terms for Johnston.
On the incoming front, the Parkhead powerbrokers are set to step up their interest in Torino midfielder Gvidas Gineitis.
The 22-year-old Lithuanian is valued in the region of £10million while the Hoops retain an interest in Germany Under-21 international playmaker Mika Baur of SC Paderborn.
Celtic have reportedly made an offer of £4million which has been rejected by the newly-promoted team.
Meanwhile, Martin O’Neill is preparing his players in their bid for a sixth successive title when they welcome Dundee to the east end of Glasgow this evening.
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