Rodgers closes in on Dan
CELTIC are confident of landing Aussie wonderkid Daniel Arzani and Hibs lynchpin John McGinn – even if only one of them arrives during the current transfer window.
Record Sport revealed online yesterday that the Scottish champions have already agreed a deal in principle to sign 19-year-old Arzani – who has been
attracting interest from clubs all over Europe after becoming the youngest player to appear at this summer’s World Cup.
Arzani is set to leave Melbourne City to join parent club Manchester City for a cut-price fee and top-level discussions have already taken place to send Arzani straight out across the border on loan.
The finer details of the complex agreement are still to be fully ironed out but Celtic expect to shake hands on an arrangement with Arzani which will see the youngster develop at Parkhead for at least the next two seasons.
While Arzani prepares to fly into Glasgow, McGinn is set to dig in his heels to join him there even it means putting the move on hold for another 12 months if the Easter Road club refuse to back down on their £4million demands for the Scotland ace.
We understand McGinn has made it clear he sees his future at Celtic Park and, if a fee can’t be agreed between the two clubs, he will be prepared to sit tight until January when he would be able to sign for his boyhood heroes on a pre-contract as a free agent.
Hibs have been attempting to force Celtic’s arm in negotiations after knocking back a succession of bids, the last of which was believed to be worth around £2m.
With Celtic now apparently refusing to budge McGinn Hibs are hoping to attract rival bids from down south to drive up the price.
But McGinn’s heart is now set on a move across the M8 and sources say he would be ready to put it on hold until January if an agreement can’t be reached before the window closes at the end of next month.
Arzani, though, is expected in Scotland soon where he will team up with international team-mate Tom Rogic.