Celtic are preparing to submit a bid to sign a £12m midfielder, which would be a bigger coup than Baur.

Celtic continue to assess their midfield options as uncertainty surrounds several key members of Martin O’Neill’s squad, and the Scottish champions could soon make another significant move in the transfer market.

With speculation continuing over the futures of Arne Engels and Reo Hatate, the club is actively identifying potential replacements capable of strengthening the midfield before the summer transfer window closes. While Paderborn’s Mika Baur has been strongly linked with a switch to Parkhead, another name has now emerged that could represent an even more ambitious signing.

Reports from Italy suggest Celtic are preparing to submit an official bid for Torino midfielder Gvidas Gineitis, a player whose experience in Serie A and on the international stage makes him one of the most intriguing targets linked with the club this summer.

Midfield Uncertainty Driving Celtic’s Recruitment Plans

Celtic’s interest in central midfield reinforcements has grown because the futures of two important players remain unresolved.

Belgian midfielder Arne Engels continues to attract serious interest from West Ham United. Although the Premier League club have reportedly agreed personal terms with the player, they have yet to satisfy Celtic’s valuation, which stands at around £25 million.

At the same time, Japanese international Reo Hatate has indicated that he would be open to exploring opportunities away from Glasgow this summer.

Should either player depart before the transfer deadline, Celtic would need to react quickly by bringing in high-quality replacements capable of maintaining the team’s competitiveness both domestically and in Europe.

Mika Baur Has Been Linked With Parkhead

One player frequently mentioned as a possible arrival is Paderborn midfielder Mika Baur.

The 22-year-old has reportedly expressed enthusiasm about the possibility of joining Celtic, making the move an attractive option from the player’s perspective.

However, despite his obvious potential, signing Baur would carry a degree of uncertainty.

The German midfielder enjoyed a breakthrough campaign during the 2025/26 season, helping Paderborn secure promotion from the 2. Bundesliga while establishing himself as an important member of the squad.

Before moving to Paderborn, Baur began his career with Freiburg but struggled to earn opportunities in the Bundesliga, making only one senior appearance before leaving in search of regular football.

Questions Remain Over Baur’s Readiness

Although Baur produced encouraging attacking numbers during his breakout season, there are understandable questions about whether he is ready to make the step up to Celtic.

He scored four goals and contributed five assists in Germany’s second division, demonstrating creativity and an ability to influence matches in advanced areas.

Nevertheless, his performances came outside one of Europe’s elite leagues, making it difficult to predict how successfully he would adapt to the demands of Scottish football.

His physical statistics also raise concerns.

During the 2025/26 campaign, Baur won only 44 percent of his ground duels, meaning opponents frequently came out on top in physical contests.

Given the demanding and combative nature of the Scottish Premiership, those numbers suggest there could be an adjustment period before he fully adapts.

For a transfer fee believed to exceed £4 million, Celtic would be investing heavily in a player who still has plenty to prove at the highest level.

Gvidas Gineitis Emerges as an Alternative

While negotiations surrounding Baur continue, another target has entered the picture.

According to reports from Italy, Celtic are seriously interested in signing Torino midfielder Gvidas Gineitis before the transfer window closes.

The Scottish champions are said to be preparing an official offer as they attempt to convince the Serie A club to sell the Lithuania international.

However, completing the transfer will not be straightforward.

Torino reportedly value Gineitis at no less than £12 million, meaning Celtic may need to break their existing transfer record if they wish to secure the deal.

Despite the substantial financial commitment involved, the midfielder’s experience and proven quality suggest he could represent a more complete signing than Baur.

Bigger Investment Brings Bigger Expectations

The proposed fee alone highlights the scale of Celtic’s interest.

A move worth around £12 million would comfortably exceed the amount expected for Baur and underline the club’s willingness to invest significantly in strengthening the squad.

Such an outlay would also demonstrate confidence that Gineitis possesses the qualities required to make an immediate impact at Parkhead rather than developing gradually over several seasons.

At just 22 years of age, he combines youth with considerable top-level experience, making him an attractive option for both the present and the future.

Serie A Experience Sets Him Apart

One of the strongest arguments in Gineitis’ favour is the level at which he has already performed.

Unlike Baur, whose breakthrough came in Germany’s second division, the Lithuanian midfielder has established himself in one of Europe’s most competitive leagues.

By the age of 22, he had already accumulated 76 Serie A appearances for Torino while also becoming a regular member of Lithuania’s senior national team, earning 32 international caps.

That level of experience suggests he would arrive at Celtic far better prepared for the pressures of competing at a club expected to challenge for trophies every season.

Strong Physical Profile

Gineitis has also demonstrated that he can cope with the physical demands of top-flight football.

During the previous Serie A season, he won 56 percent of his ground duels and 51 percent of his aerial contests.

Those statistics compare favourably with Baur’s numbers and indicate that the Torino midfielder is more accustomed to handling physical battles in midfield.

Considering the intensity of Scottish football, those qualities could prove extremely valuable if he joins Celtic.

His ability to compete defensively while maintaining composure in possession makes him an appealing all-round option.

International Form Highlights Attacking Potential

Although Gineitis recorded only one assist and failed to score in Serie A during the most recent campaign, his performances for Lithuania tell a different story.

During World Cup qualifying, he scored three goals while creating an average of 2.3 chances per match across eight appearances.

He also contributed two assists in eight European Championship qualifying matches before adding another goal during the UEFA Nations League campaign.

Those displays suggest his attacking qualities are more significant than his domestic statistics alone might indicate.

Given the right tactical system, he appears capable of contributing goals as well as creativity from central midfield.

Could Be the Complete Midfielder Celtic Need

If Celtic successfully complete a deal for Gineitis, they would be acquiring a player with experience, physical strength and proven international pedigree despite his relatively young age.

His combination of defensive competitiveness, technical ability and attacking contribution suggests he has the attributes required to become an influential midfielder under Martin O’Neill.

Compared with Mika Baur, Gineitis represents a more expensive investment, but he also arrives with stronger credentials and considerably greater experience at the highest level.

For those reasons, he appears to be the more ambitious target and could become one of Celtic’s standout signings if negotiations with Torino progress successfully before the transfer window closes.