Celtic have reportedly moved into pole position to sign highly-rated full-back Niels Nkounkou from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Nkounkou has been the subject of significant interest this summer, and had even reportedly agreed terms to join Nice ahead of the transfer deadline.
However, it appears that Celtic are well-placed to swoop in and secure the 25-year-old's signature in what looks set to be a busy final few days of business for Martin O'Neill's side.
According to a report from French outlet Footmercato, Celtic have moved in swiftly and are currently attempting to finalise terms for a move to the Scottish Premiership.
Should Celtic successfully hijack Nice's move for Nkounkou it would see him fifth senior signing of the summer for the reigning Scottish champions.
A product of Marseille's famed La Commanderie academy, Nkounkou signed his first professional contract with Everton in the summer of 2020 during Carlo Ancelotti's time in charge.
He would go on to make two Premier League appearances for the Toffees before embarking on a series of loans that would ultimately lead him to Saint-Etienne before joining Frankfurt in 2023.
After netting on his league debut and featuring regularly in his first Bundesliga campaign, Nkounkou later fell out of favour at the Waldstadion and spent last season on loan in Serie A with Torino.
In addition to Nkounkou, Celtic are also set to complete the loan signing of former England international goalkeeper Sam Johnstone from Wolves on a season-long loan.
