Celtic are reported to be deep in negotiations with AEK Athens to sign Vassilis Barkas.
The international keeper was first linked with Celtic last October but with Craig Gordon and Fraser Forster moving on the position has become a priority.
Like Forster it is difficult to imagine Barkas coming in to be second choice with Sport Time going into great detail about the state of negotiations between the two clubs.
After recent events the transfer market is in unchartered territory, some clubs are keen to offload players from their wage bill with loan deals of longer payment plans while others are in need or urgent cash deals to meet payroll demands.
Greek website Sport Time reports:
So far, of all the teams that checked him, Celtic has shown the most vivid interest. Besides, the interest of the Scots was first presented by Sportime last October. And since then, Celtic has been watching the Greek goalkeeper and a few days ago, according to information from Sportime , it arrived at the door of AEK.
The proposal, however, did not satisfy AEK as it reached 3.5 million euros plus another 1 million euros in the form of a bonus. An amount that by no means satisfies the “wants” of AEK that has set a goal to sell Barca with 7-8 million euros. The Union therefore told the Scots that the amount is not at the standards it has set and is now waiting for the next step of the “Celts” who this summer have decided to buy a goalkeeper.
The information of Sportime, however, states that Celtic and Barca have come very close regarding the contract of the Greek goalkeeper and it remains for the two teams to find them for the amount of his sale.
Barkas played in both matches against Celtic two years ago as AEK sent Celtic out of the Champions League qualifiers.
Joe Hart and David Marshall have been strongly linked with Celtic but there seems to be little substance to back up the rumours.
So far Neil Lennon has yet to add to last season’s squad although Moi Elyounoussi has returned for another season on loan from Southampton.