Ange Postecoglou is set to make his first major move in the transfer market as Celtic look to land Israel ace Liel Abada in the next 24 hours.
The Hoops are closing in on the Maccabi Petah Tikva player after agreeing a deal of around £3.4million for the highly-rated wideman to fend off strong interest from Club Brugge in Belgium.
And Parkhead chiefs are hoping the move opens the floodgates with £3m-rated Rennes full-back Brandon Soppy a top target, along with Rubin Kazan’s Swedish centre-back Carl Starfelt.
Abada is the closest to being forced over the line ahead of Thursday’s Champions League qualifying transfer deadline.
The wideman sparked interest from all over the continent after catching the eye in his homeland last season, where his performances earned him a call-up to the national team.
The youngster is regarded as one of Israel’s top talents and can play on the right wing or as a playmaker through the middle.
Petah Tikva are willing to cash in on the kid, with boss Guy Luzon admitting he rates the attacker as one of the best he’s clapped eyes on.
Luzon said: “Liel is one of the greatest young talents I have ever seen in my time in football.
“And I say that when I have seen a great many of players both across Europe and at home.
“He was put in my team on merit and I will tell you why – he is the best finisher in the Israeli league and by a wide margin.
“Every goal he scores for us should add another million on to his value!
“He’s developed brilliantly and has improved with every season.
“Liel is still young but he is very mature for his age. He’s an outstanding prospect who is certain to have a very good future in this game.”
Postecoglou has added prospects Liam Shaw and Osaze Urhoghide but has yet to bag a big name to go straight into the first team.
However, Celtic are chasing numerous targets with the boss admitting his squad is short in several key areas.
He’d love to land right-back Soppy from Rennes but is facing fierce competition from sides in France and England after the Ligue 1 outfit gave him the green light to go if a bid came in of around £4m.
Keeper target Mat Ryan has joined Real Sociedad while Feyenoord have stolen a march in the race to land Hajduk Split defender Mario Vuskovic, with the 19-year-old’s fee set to shoot above £5m.
Celts are still interested in Starfelt but talks have hit snags over sell-on clauses and the the failure to move on wantaway star Kris Ajer.
The Norwegian has yet to feature in pre-season due to a slight injury while the club knocked back a bumper £12m bid from Brenford that could have hit £15m with add-ons.
Newcastle are understood to have been scared off by the price tag while Norwich have also backed off as Celts look to land a hefty fee for the 23-year-old.
Ajer didn’t train yesterday in Wales ahead of tonight’s friendly clash with Bristol City, while in-demand Odsonne Edouard was unable to take part fully after a thigh knock in Saturday’s win over Charlton.
Edouard is also looking to move but should be fit for next week’s Champions League clash with Midtjylland, with striker Leigh Griffiths’ Celtic future still in limbo.
Playmaker Tom Rogic could return this evening but defender Boli Bolingoli is not fit yet after returning to the fold following his loan spell with Istanbul Basaksehir last term.
