Celtic will reject any January transfer window offers for Mika Baur, with the club determined to keep the £4.5 million summer signing as Martin O’Neill looks to strengthen the squad rather than lose key players mid-season.
Midfielder Mika Baur has attracted concrete attention from top clubs across the Premier League, Bundesliga, and Serie A following his arrival from Paderborn. According to Sky Germany, the 22-year-old is already receiving top enquiries from Premier League, Bundesliga and Serie A clubs.
The 22-year-old has established himself as a regular in the Celtic starting lineup, contributing four goals from midfield and featuring in 19 appearances. His early form also earned him a call-up to Germany’s under-21 squad for this international camp before withdrawing because of injury, after Jurgen Klopp was impressed by his early form for Celtic.
He became the 1,000th player to make his debut in the history of the DFB. Operating as the advanced midfielder beside Callum McGregor in O’Neill’s 4-3-3 formation, Baur maximises his impact through his distribution and well-timed forward bursts. However, his weakness is physical.
Standing at 5ft 8in with a slender frame, he can find it difficult against opponents who play long balls and fight for second balls, while providing less defensive protection than the player who came before him. Having netted 13 goals, Duran has usurped Kasper Hogh for the centre-forward role, despite Hogh arriving for a club-record £11m fee. Hogh has not scored since an August hat-trick against Kilmarnock.
Why are top European clubs watching Baur?
European suitors are monitoring the playmaker because his creative statistics and attacking output have outpaced expectations since his summer move. Observers note that his 49 key passes during his final season at Paderborn highlighted the creative habits he has brought to Glasgow.
Interested clubs in England, Germany, and Italy are reportedly weighing potential moves, with current estimates suggesting a future valuation between £12.7m and £16.7m, or €15 million to €20 million. Sky Germany reports that Baur’s value could rise before January if he maintains his current form. A return to Germany, or a move to England or Italy, is possible.
What is Celtic’s stance on January bids?
Celtic hold a strong negotiating position because Baur’s contract runs until 2030 and contains no release clause. Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke reported that the board will refuse to entertain winter offers for the midfielder.
Rather than parting ways with personnel during the winter window, Martin O’Neill aims to add quality to the group, as supporters urge the club hierarchy to demonstrate their ambition and make up for an underwhelming summer recruitment drive.
Peter O’Rourke said that he did not think Celtic would be contemplating cashing in on Mika Baur in January even if there was interest.
O’Rourke added that Baur has become instrumental in building a partnership with Callum McGregor and remains vital to the club’s Scottish Premiership title defense and European campaign. Speaking on the Transfer Insider, O’Rourke explained that he thinks Baur is too important to let go midway through the season.