Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
LIAM TO FAME Royals ace Moore is Duffy back-up plan
CELTIC have placed Reading skipper Liam Moore on their transfer radar.
Parkhead boss Neil Lennon (inset) is scouring the market as he hunts for defensive reinforcements during this transfer window.
Shane Duffy remains a strong backline target with club chiefs attempting to thrash out a deal to take the Ireland stopper from Brighton.
Lennon has confirmed that enquiries have been made over the 28-year-old’s availability with a transfer fee in the region of £5million or a season-long loan cost estimated at £2million needed to sign him.
However, with Premier League sides West Ham, West Brom and Burnley also involved in the battle for Duffy (top),
Celtic have other defensive options under consideration and Moore is among those on that list of potential alternatives. Moore has three years left on his current deal, but sources in Berkshire have confirmed the English outfit are looking to offload higher earners due to financial issues and the central defender is within that bracket.
The stopper has a market value in the region of £4.5million with his deal running until 2023. However, it is believed there would be room for negotiation for interested parties due to the position of player and club.
Lennon admits the Hoops are beavering in the background on signings and ahead of today’s trip to Tannadice to face Dundee United said: “Nick [Hammond] and his team have been working away. We have daily contact and it takes a bit of time.”
Lennon also reiterated his plans not to loan Leigh Griffiths.
The striker is still out with a calf strain, but the Hoops gaffer says he’s content to have him,
Odsonne Edouard,
Albian Ajeti and Patryk Klimala as the attacking unit.
Lennon said: “Just now I’m happy with the four that I’ve got. At the moment, he[griffiths] is not fit. He’s got a calf strain and needs to get back into training.
“Putting him out on loan is not in my thinking”
As well as Griffiths, Celtic continue to be without Mikey Johnston who remains sidelined with a knee problem.
The hosts have been plagued by injuries but manager Micky Mellon is hoping to have some of his big names back.