Report: Celtic set to lose out on £1.75m target, as defender chooses Italian side

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Sky Italy transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio has claimed on his website that newly-promoted Serie A side Hellas Verona are set to win the race Celtic target Amir Rrahmani.

The 25-year-old starred for Dinamo Zagreb last season and has cropped up on the shortlist of Celtic. Belgian outlet DH claimed earlier this week that Standard Liege were also keen, with £1.75million needed to land his signature.

It is believed that Neil Lennon saw the 19-time Kosovo international as a replacement for Dedryck Boyata, who has left the club to join German Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin. Filip Benkovic has returned to parent club Leicester City.

But Di Marzio’s report has put paid to any chances that Celtic might have of signing Rrahmani, by reporting that he is closing in on a move to Verona with a four-year deal already on the table.

TBR’s view

Celtic desperately need a centre-back and Lennon – as well as the Hoops board – really need to get a move on with Old Firm rivals Rangers already closing in on their sixth signing in George Edmundson.

Rrahmani would have been a solid signing but the 6ft 3in centre-back has been in and out of the Zagreb side. He is hardly the calibre of signing Celtic need to strike fear into Rangers and other Scottish Premiership sides.

Celtic need a big-name centre-back, and must be willing to spend a bit of money to get him. Rrahmani is not that man, and he looks unlikely to be on his way to Parkhead as Verona close in.