Long-term Celtic target reveals transfer preference as club close in on £7m deal for Engels replacement

Ghedjemis, 23, has been on Celtic’s transfer wish list over the last six months, with the club thought to have been close to bringing the Algerian international to the club during the January transfer window, only for him to choose to stay at his current club to help them gain promotion to Serie A, which they achieved in May.

However, interest in the player failed to cease during the winter transfer window, with Celtic and fierce rivals Rangers both thought to be monitoring developments on Ghedjemis’ future ahead of the new season. Sources in Italy suggested that newly promoted Frosinone were ready to hold out for more than £10m for their star man, who scored 15 goals last season for I Canarini.

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The two Glasgow giants weren’t the only interested clubs, though, and it has now been revealed that both Besiktas and AS Monaco have launched bids for the player. According to a report from transfer journalist Santi Aouna, Turkish side Besiktas has tabled the higher bid. However, Ghedjemis’ preferred move would be to AS Monaco. The Ligue 1 side has offered a fee of £8.5million, with an extra £2.5million in add-ons.

Meanwhile, the Scottish champions are closing in on a seven-figure deal for highly rated Bosnian international Ermin Mahmic. The 21-year-old was a standout performer for his country at the World Cup in North America this summer, where he scored twice as they made it through to the last 32 of the tournament, and has been billed as a like-for-like replacement for Arne Engels, who joined West Ham United for a fee of £22million last week.

According to a report from the Daily Record, the deal for the Slovan Liberec playmaker is now at an advanced stage, with the Czech top-flight club set to receive a fee of around £7million deal, with another £1.5million payable in add-ons. Signed on a free transfer from Austrian outfit SV Lafnitz last season, Mahmic has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the last year.

Establishing himself as a key figure at Stadion u Nisy, he netted seven goals and assisted three more last season, earning a place in the Bosnian squad for the World Cup. Elsewhere, Celtic are expected to confirm the signing of Chelsea teenager Landon Emenalo on a season-long loan deal. The defender can deputise in central midfield, but is expected to offer Kieran Tierney competition at left-back.