Celtic just need to agree on personal terms with right-back Aurelio Buta, according to The Daily Record’s Scott Burns.
The Lowdown: Buta profiled
Buta is 24 years of age and has been of interest to Celtic for a number of weeks now.
The Portuguese defender, who can also play further forward, has made 109 appearances for Royal Antwerp after joining back in 2018.
A former Portugal Under-20 international, Buta has less than 12 months remaining on his contract and appears to be the Hoops’ next target.
The Latest: £3m deal agreed
According to Burns’ report late on Tuesday evening, Buta is next on Celtic’s transfer spree. A £3m deal has been agreed between Celtic and Royal Antwerp, who are still in talks over a transfer.
Burns adds that all is left is for the full-back to agree on personal terms ahead of a move to Glasgow.
Buta is on £4,500-a-week with his current employers, £1,000-a-week less than Celtic right-back Anthony Ralston.
This all goes against the claims of the media in Belgium, who suggest a deal is not as advanced as Burns believes.
The Verdict: McKay closing in on another big-money move
Dominic McKay has helped Celtic spend relatively big during his first summer as CEO, and it seems as if Buta could be his fourth addition at £3m or over after Liel Abada, Carl Starfelt and Kyogo Furuhashi.
A new right-back is wanted by Ange Postecoglou, and you’d hope Celtic would be willing to offer Buta, who has experience in the Europa League, something Ralston doesn't, a respectable Parkhead salary.
The Hoops man is valued at £270,000, whereas Buta’s Transfermarkt valuation is £3.15m, so you wouldn’t blame Buta for holding out for a Celtic salary greater than Ralston's.