Dundee United have put a £2m price tag on Lawrence Shankland.
The Scotland striker has scored close to a goal a game this season with Celtic’s Head of Football Operations, Nicky Hammond watching his hat-trick against Partick Thistle on Saturday.
United pushed the boat out to sign Shankland as a free agent in the summer but seem certain to get their reward with Robbie Neilson’s side 17 points clear in the Championship as they look to end a four year exile from the top flight.
Yesterday Celtic paid £3.5m for Patryk Klimala but according to The Express they are still on the trail of Shankland.
Celtic have been targeting Scotland international Lawrence Shankland in the January transfer window, as Neil Lennon aims to bolster his attacking options following the sale of Scott Sinclair. But, Dundee United are adamant that they won’t be selling their star player this month, Express Sport understands.
Shankland is currently top goalscorer in the Scottish Championship, with 22 goals; six more than any other player. He’s also guided his team to almost certain promotion back to the Premiership, having won 17 of their 21 matches.
But, his excellent form has drawn attention from some of the country’s biggest clubs – including Celtic. Dundee United have valued the striker at around £2million, but they’re also adamant that he won’t be leaving in January.
Liking Shankland as a replacement for Sinclair suggests that the report isn’t quite on the mey. Although United look certain to win promotion a broken ankle for Nicky Clark at the weekend has increased their reliance on Shankland who scored for Scotland against San Marino last year.
Aberdeen signed Shankland from Queens Park in 2013 but while Andy Robertson’s career took off down the road at Dundee United the striker struggled to make an impact and was sent on loan to Dunfermline, St Mirren and Morton without making an impact.
After joining Ayr United in the summer of 2017 his career started to motor with Celtic credited with an interest last January.