Celtic first choice for Kayal despite other offers

By Grant Russell
Edging closer: Celtic are Biram Kayal's first choice, despite offers from Holland and Turkey.©Reuters

Biram Kayal is “very interested” in joining Celtic but reports that the Glasgow club have already secured the defensive midfielder’s signature are believed to be inaccurate. 22-year-old Kayal is currently in talks with the SPL side over a move to Scotland, with discussions ongoing between Maccabi Haifa and the Hoops over the possible transfer.

Galatasaray and Dutch champions FC Twente have also expressed an interest in signing Kayal, providing competition to Neil Lennon’s team for his services. But sources close to Kayal, who has represented the Israeli international team on 10 occasions, say he would prefer a move to Celtic.

Last season’s Israel top flight champions are sympathetic towards Kayal’s desire to move to Scotland but, with two years left to run on his contract, are unwilling to let the player leave on the cheap. STV Sport understands a deal is close for Kayal, who left Maccabi Haifa's training camp in Bulgaria on Thursday to hold talks with Celtic.

Maccabi president Jacob Shachar had attempted to quell the emerging speculation of the transfer on Thursday night, saying Kayal was in demand. “There is indeed interest from Celtic in Kayal,” Shachar told ONE. “But they are not the only team interested.”

Some sources in Israel report Celtic and Maccabi Haifa have already agreed a fee for Kayal in the region of £1.25 million. But STV Sport understands that is wide of the mark at present, with discussions still ongoing between the two clubs and the player.

Kayal would become Celtic’s sixth signing of the summer transfer window, following Efrain Juarez, Joe Ledley, Cha Du-Ri, Daryl Murphy and Charlie Mulgrew in becoming part of manager Lennon’s squad for the forthcoming campaign.

CELTIC IN TALKS WITH BIRAM KAYAL

Celtic’s transfer business isn’t likely to end there, with Lennon commenting on Wednesday night he was still in the market for players to fill four positions in his starting XI.

“We are definitely looking to strengthen,” said Lennon. “We lost Artur Boruc, our goalkeeper, centre half is an area I want to improve and left-back, and a striker.

“We have a good balance in midfield with the players we have brought in, so we are happy with that. But there are three or four positions to fill to strengthen the squad even further.”