Celtic look set to miss out on Silas Andersen, with the highly-rated midfielder on the verge of sealing a move elsewhere.
Andersen has enjoyed an impressive start to the Swedish season, scoring six goals in 25 appearances across all competitions. Interest in the 21-year-old stretches back further than this summer, with Celtic having tracked him for months and monitored his progress since the January transfer window.
Any hopes of bringing him to Glasgow now appear to be over.
According to Scandinavian outlet Tipsbladet, Häcken have agreed a deal with Portuguese side Sporting CP worth an initial £6.4 million, with a further £2.5 million in potential add-ons.
The report states Andersen is due to travel to Lisbon on Saturday to undergo a medical before putting pen to paper on a five-year contract with the Portuguese champions.
It is another reminder of the level Celtic are competing against when targeting emerging talent across Europe.
Sporting can offer immediate Champions League football and have built a strong reputation for developing young players before moving them on to the very top level. When clubs of that stature enter the race, the landscape changes quickly.
For Celtic, attention now turns back to their own midfield plans.
It is an area of the squad that could require significant work over the coming months. Callum McGregor remains the undisputed first choice in the holding role, but depth behind the captain is limited.
A player with Andersen’s profile would have provided another option capable of operating deeper while also contributing further up the pitch.
There is also uncertainty around several current midfielders. Arne Engels has reportedly attracted interest from AC Milan, while Reo Hatate continues to be linked with a move away after another strong campaign.
That leaves Celtic with decisions to make before the new season gets underway.
Missing out on a player of Andersen’s quality means attention must turn elsewhere. It underlines how competitive the market becomes when highly-rated young players start delivering consistently at senior level.
Andersen appears destined for Lisbon. Celtic will now have to look elsewhere as they continue preparations for what is shaping up to be a busy summer.
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