Celtic are set for a straight fight against West Ham for defender Shane Duffy.
The Scottish champions are attempting to seal a deal for the 28-year-old as boss Neil Lennon looks to add reinforcements in the backline department.
Duffy has a variety of options with Brighton aiming to offload him during this transfer window.
Celtic are involved in the race with the Parkhead outfit hoping to secure a loan deal which would cost them around £2million in wages for the cost of a season.
West Ham, however, are prepared to pay a full transfer fee for a permanent deal at a cost in the region of £5million.
Manager David Moyes has worked with Duffy during the pair’s time together at Everton and the financial muscle of the Londoners due to Premier League riches could give them a cash edge.
Celtic, though, are aware that Duffy’s emotional pull as a supporter of the club may also have a bearing on the centre-back’s decision making.
Newly-promoted West Brom and Burnley are also interested and willing to make an outright purchase, but Record Sport understands it is West Ham and Celtic who are the likeliest of the quartet to clinch a deal.
While Celtic are battling it out for Duffy, Tom Rogic is attracting interest from Qatar.
The 27-year-old’s situation is having his situation assessed by clubs in the Arab country.
Figures in the region of £4million have been reported for any deal, but Record Sport understands that no concrete offers been placed at the moment and any move is merely at the stage of initial interest and enquiry.
Rogic wrote himself into the folklore of Celtic by scoring the winning goal in the 2017 Scottish Cup Final against Aberdeen as Brendan Rodgers’ side completed an Invincible Treble Treble term.
However, having suffered a series of injury issues, the Australian international has struggled for regular starting action in the past year.
Rogic has not featured for manager Neil Lennon, who signed him from Central Coast Mariners seven years ago, this term with Ryan Christie and Olivier Ntcham looking to be positioned ahead of him in the pecking order in an advanced midfield role.
With Motherwell’s David Turnbull still of interest after a big-money deal collapsed a year ago on medical grounds, the Aussie could be tempted if there is any advance on the Qatari investigations.
