Celtic aims to offer £2 million less than the asking price for the Scottish Premiership star.

Celtic Continue Pursuit of Miguel Chaiwa

Celtic are reportedly pressing ahead with plans to strengthen their midfield this summer, with Hibernian star Miguel Chaiwa emerging as one of their leading transfer targets.

The Scottish champions are understood to be strong admirers of the 22-year-old Zambia international following an impressive debut campaign in the Scottish Premiership. However, despite their interest, Celtic are unwilling to meet Hibernian’s current asking price.

Reports suggest Hibs value the midfielder at around £7 million after his excellent performances last season, but Celtic are only prepared to offer approximately £5 million.

That leaves a noticeable gap between the two clubs’ valuations, meaning negotiations could become one of the summer’s most closely watched transfer stories.

Hoops Preparing Midfield Rebuild

Celtic are expected to make significant changes in midfield ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, with recruitment in that area viewed as one of the club’s highest priorities.

The Glasgow giants believe Chaiwa possesses exactly the qualities they are looking for as they prepare for another domestic title challenge and European campaign.

Club officials reportedly see the Hibernian midfielder as fitting the ideal profile for their long-term plans.

His age, athleticism and ability to contribute both defensively and in possession make him an attractive option for a side aiming to dominate matches while remaining solid without the ball.

As a result, Celtic are expected to continue exploring the possibility of reaching an agreement with Hibernian during the transfer window.

Hibernian Under No Pressure to Sell

Although interest in Chaiwa continues to grow, Hibernian are not believed to be under any immediate financial pressure to cash in on one of their standout performers.

The Edinburgh club are fully aware of the midfielder’s importance after an outstanding first season in Scotland and remain comfortable with their current valuation.

Having qualified for European competition following a fifth-place finish in the Premiership, Hibs are eager to retain as much quality as possible ahead of another demanding campaign.

Nevertheless, they have accepted that interest from larger clubs was always likely after Chaiwa’s impressive performances throughout the season.

Celtic’s pursuit therefore comes as little surprise.

Whether Hibernian eventually soften their stance on the transfer fee remains to be seen.

Outstanding First Season in Scotland

Chaiwa adapted quickly following his arrival in the Scottish Premiership and quickly established himself as one of Hibernian’s most influential midfielders.

Across the league campaign, the 22-year-old made 28 appearances, playing a vital role in helping the Edinburgh club secure European qualification.

His performances consistently earned praise for their maturity, discipline and defensive intelligence.

Despite still being relatively young, Chaiwa demonstrated an ability to control midfield battles while providing valuable protection for his team’s back line.

Those displays naturally attracted attention from clubs seeking reliable defensive midfielders capable of competing at a high level.

Celtic now appear determined to test Hibernian’s resolve.

Defensive Numbers Stand Out

One of the biggest reasons behind Celtic’s reported interest is Chaiwa’s exceptional defensive output.

Statistics from last season underline just how influential he became in breaking up opposition attacks and regaining possession for his side.

According to data published by FotMob, the Zambia international averaged one successful dribble per 90 minutes while also winning an impressive 6.69 duels during the same period.

He additionally recorded 1.24 successful aerial duels, won 3.20 fouls, produced 1.19 interceptions and completed 5.16 ball recoveries every 90 minutes in the Scottish Premiership.

Those numbers highlight a midfielder capable of combining physicality with tactical awareness.

His ability to recover possession consistently could provide Celtic with an extra layer of protection in central areas.

Addressing Celtic’s Defensive Concerns

Strengthening the defensive side of midfield appears particularly important after Celtic experienced difficulties towards the end of last season.

The club struggled to maintain defensive consistency during the closing weeks of the campaign and finished without recording a clean sheet in any of their final six matches across all competitions.

That lack of defensive stability exposed weaknesses the coaching staff are now eager to address before the new season begins.

Adding a player with Chaiwa’s defensive qualities could help solve some of those problems.

His willingness to compete physically, intercept passes and recover loose balls would offer greater protection for Celtic’s defence while allowing more attack-minded teammates additional freedom going forward.

It is easy to understand why the Scottish champions believe he could strengthen the squad.

Transfer Fee Could Be the Stumbling Block

Although Celtic remain enthusiastic about completing the signing, agreeing a transfer fee may prove difficult.

Hibernian’s £7 million valuation reflects both Chaiwa’s performances and his long-term potential.

From their perspective, there is little reason to lower the asking price for one of the club’s most valuable assets.

Celtic, meanwhile, appear determined to remain disciplined in negotiations.

Rather than matching Hibs’ valuation immediately, they are expected to begin discussions closer to the £5 million mark.

Whether the two clubs can eventually find common ground remains uncertain.

Much could depend on whether additional clubs enter the race for the midfielder during the coming weeks.

Saracchi Remains Another Key Target

While pursuing Chaiwa, Celtic continue working on strengthening other areas of the squad.

The club also remain interested in bringing Marcelo Saracchi back to Glasgow following his successful loan spell last season.

The experienced left-back impressed during his temporary stay at Celtic, helping the club secure another domestic double.

Reports indicate Celtic recently submitted a loan proposal to Boca Juniors, but the Argentine club rejected that approach because they prefer a permanent transfer.

Despite that setback, negotiations between the two clubs are expected to continue.

There is optimism that a compromise can eventually be reached if both sides remain willing to negotiate.

Busy Summer Ahead for Celtic

As Celtic prepare to defend their Scottish Premiership title and compete once again in European competition, the club are expected to remain active throughout the transfer window.

Recruitment in midfield and defence appears central to their plans, with Chaiwa and Saracchi emerging as two of the priority targets.

Securing Chaiwa’s signature would provide Celtic with a young, energetic and defensively reliable midfielder capable of strengthening the squad immediately.

However, unless Hibernian lower their valuation or Celtic decide to increase their offer, negotiations may continue for some time.

For now, the Scottish champions remain firmly interested, but whether they are ultimately prepared to bridge the £2 million gap could determine if Chaiwa becomes the latest arrival at Celtic Park this summer.