Celtic are close to losing out on signing midfield target Alfie Doughty as the youngster seems set to choose English Championship side Stoke City over a move the the Scottish Champions.
Stoke had a £600,000 bid accepted and it looks like Michael O’Neill is about to get his man as contract talks are reportedly set to take place in the near future.
Celtic have been tracking the midfielder for a number of months now and, along with several other clubs, made a contract offer to Doughty to try and tempt hik to a move to Paradise. Doughty’s contract expires in the summer and Celtic were hopeful of capturing their man, but it seems the highly rated youngster prefers to play his football in England’s second tier.
Stoke are currently eighth in the English Championship, a full ten points off automatic promotion but only five off the play off places and they will be hopefull of at least reaching fifth place as a minimum as they bid to reach the riches of the Premiership.
This is just the latest in a run of apparent transfer targets the Hoops have missed out on with Mark McKenzie and Filip Benkovic both signing loan deals with Belgian A sides and the Celtic fans will be left feeling disappointed after the latest transfer failure.
Celtic boss, Neil Lennon, is starting to run out of time to add to the squad and strengthen before the window slams shut and will be left reeling at the latest high profile knock back.