Chris Sutton and Celtic supporters fall for fake transfer news.

Following the arrival of Kasper Høgh, Celtic supporters have naturally shifted their focus toward the club’s next potential signing. With the summer transfer window entering one of its busiest periods, speculation surrounding possible arrivals has intensified, and fans are eagerly following every rumor linked to the Scottish champions.

However, alongside the genuine transfer developments has come an increasing amount of false information circulating across social media. As excitement builds over potential additions to Brendan Rodgers’ squad, misleading reports have become more common, making it increasingly difficult for supporters to separate fact from fiction.

Throughout this transfer window, numerous reports have emerged from overseas media outlets and online accounts. In many cases, foreign journalists can provide valuable insight, particularly when a player currently competes in their domestic league or negotiations involve clubs based in their country. Those sources can often offer useful updates before news reaches Scottish media.

Unfortunately, that has also created opportunities for unreliable social media accounts to exploit the demand for transfer news. A growing number of verified accounts have been publishing unconfirmed or entirely fabricated stories in an attempt to generate attention and engagement from football supporters.

The blue verification badge that once helped users identify trustworthy accounts no longer guarantees authenticity. Since verification can now be obtained through a paid subscription, many accounts displaying the familiar blue checkmark have no established reputation for accurate reporting.

Some users have taken advantage of that change by posting sensational transfer claims involving high-profile clubs such as Celtic, knowing that supporters are eager for updates and likely to share exciting news without immediately verifying its accuracy.

As anticipation over new signings continues to grow, it has become increasingly easy for misleading stories to spread rapidly across social media platforms.

The latest example occurred on Tuesday evening when an account pretending to be respected transfer journalist David Ornstein published a dramatic update regarding Celtic’s pursuit of SC Paderborn midfielder Mika Baur.

The fake account claimed Celtic had successfully reached an agreement with the German club, arranged a medical examination for the player, and even stated that Baur had rejected interest from Rangers in favor of a move to Parkhead.

Those claims quickly attracted widespread attention among supporters, with many believing the transfer had effectively been completed.

However, none of the information contained in the post was accurate.

The account responsible was not affiliated with David Ornstein and had simply impersonated the highly respected journalist in an attempt to deceive football fans.

Despite the account being fake, the post spread rapidly across social media as thousands of supporters reacted to what appeared to be a major transfer breakthrough.

Perhaps most notably, former Celtic striker Chris Sutton was among those caught out by the misleading report.

Sutton shared the post by reposting it on his own social media account, inadvertently giving the false update even greater visibility before it became clear that the information was entirely fabricated.

The incident highlighted just how convincing fake accounts can appear, particularly when they imitate well-known journalists whose reporting is widely trusted within football circles.

It also served as a reminder that even experienced figures connected to the game can occasionally fall victim to carefully constructed misinformation.

While the viral social media claims proved false, Celtic’s genuine interest in Mika Baur remains very much alive.

As previously reported, Celtic continue to pursue the highly rated midfielder after seeing an opening offer, believed to be in the region of $4 million, rejected by SC Paderborn.

Although the initial proposal was unsuccessful, negotiations between the two clubs have not ended.

Instead, discussions remain ongoing as Celtic attempt to find an agreement that satisfies the German club’s valuation of one of their brightest young players.

The player himself is also understood to be open to making the move to Glasgow.

Reports indicate that personal terms between Baur and Celtic have already been discussed, with the German Under-21 international keen on joining the Scottish champions should the clubs eventually reach a transfer agreement.

That means the transfer remains a realistic possibility despite the rejection of Celtic’s first offer.

However, there is still considerable work to be completed before any official announcement can be made.

The biggest obstacle continues to be negotiations between the two clubs, with Paderborn under no immediate pressure to sell unless their valuation is met.

Because of that, there remains every possibility that discussions could continue throughout much of the remaining transfer window before a final decision is reached.

Supporters are therefore being encouraged to approach every transfer rumor with caution.

This summer has already demonstrated that legitimate transfers can develop extremely quickly once negotiations reach an advanced stage. Kasper Høgh’s arrival provided another example of how rapidly deals can move from discussion to completion once the final details are agreed.

At the same time, recent events have also shown how easily false information can spread online, particularly when supporters are desperate for positive transfer news.

The combination of high anticipation, constant social media activity, and increasingly sophisticated fake accounts has created an environment where misinformation can circulate almost instantly.

For that reason, fans are advised to rely on updates from established and credible journalists rather than reacting immediately to every viral social media post.

As things currently stand, Mika Baur remains a genuine transfer target for Celtic.

The player is believed to be interested in making the switch to Parkhead, while conversations between the clubs continue behind the scenes.

Beyond those confirmed developments, however, there has been no agreement, no completed medical, and no finalized transfer.

Until reliable sources confirm further progress, supporters should treat any dramatic claims circulating online with a healthy level of skepticism.

The transfer window is still open, negotiations remain active, and there is every chance that Celtic could eventually complete a deal for the talented German midfielder. But for now, patience remains essential, and fans should resist the temptation to believe every exciting update that appears on social media simply because it comes from an account displaying a blue verification badge.