Neil Lennon confirms Celtic have enquired about £40k-a-week international defender

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Celtic boss Neil Lennon has confirmed to OTB Sports that “tentative enquiries” have been made over Shane Duffy.

As previously reported by the Daily Record, the Hoops are attempting to seal a loan deal for the Republic of Ireland defender as Lennon looks to bolster his team’s back line.

The report claimed that Celtic are up against English side West Ham for the Brighton centre-back’s signature.

While the Bhoys are apparently aiming for a loan deal which would cost around £2million in wages for the cost of a season, the Hammers are after a £5million permanent deal, added the report.

On Thursday, Lennon told OTB Sport on the subject of Duffy: “We have made tentative enquiries, and we’ll see how that goes.”

Duffy, a boyhood Celtic fan, has been with the Seagulls since 2016 but got little game time last season, with just 21 appearances and 16 Premier League starts under his belt.

Brighton have also bolstered their ranks with Ben White’s return from Leeds and Netherlands international Joel Veltman joining from Ajax last month, which could leave Duffy further surplus to requirements.

The 6ft 4in defender has made 130 competitive appearances for Brighton and has won 33 caps for the Republic, of which he is captain.

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Duffy is an experienced, high-calibre defender whose time at Brighton is now uncertain due to their glut of options at the back, and Celtic would certainly be a more solid outfit with him in their ranks.

Given the £40,000-a-week man is a boyhood Bhoy, the chance to make history with his beloved club would surely appeal to him.

However, competition from an English Premier League side reportedly willing to buy him outright cannot be underestimated.