Celtic are closing in on the signing of midfielder Riley McGree from MLS outfit Charlotte FC, according to The Daily Mail.

The Lowdown: McGree profiled

McGree is a 23-year-old Australia international who can play in a defensive, central or attacking midfield role. [Transfermarkt]

He recently returned to Charlotte following a second loan spell with Birmingham City, where he made 15 appearances under Lee Bowyer during the first half of the season.

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Valued at £540,000 by Transfermarkt, McGree appears to be a player of interest to Ange Postecoglou, despite the Celtic manager already bringing in two midfielders this month in Reo Hatate and Yosuke Ideguchi.

The Latest: In the coming days...

The Daily Mail shared a story early on Sunday morning, claiming that the Hoops are closing in on a move for McGree.

The report suggests that Celtic could win the race for the playmaker in the coming days, with Postecoglou adamant that the 23-year-old can make a big impact at Parkhead.

The Verdict: A shock target…

With the Hoops already bolstering their midfield ranks with the acquisitions of Hatate and Ideguchi, this update has perhaps come as a bit of a shock.

It seemed as if permanent moves for loanees Cameron Carter-Vickers and Jota were next on the agenda, but instead McGree could well become the club’s fifth addition of 2022.

Should a move to Glasgow materialise, it could turn out to be a shrewd one, especially with the likes of Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough also interested. McGree would be able to turn out in a variety of roles, and who knows, he could be viewed as an attacking midfielder signing to cover for the injured David Turnbull at Parkhead.

In other news: 'Big' - Pundit buzzing after hearing 'massive' transfer news from Celtic Park