Scottish Football News

Glasgow Celtic transfer target, Gabriel Tamas has rated his chances of signing for the Parkhead giants at “greater than 50/50″.

The Romanian international defender, who currently plays for French Ligue One side Auxerre, has been capped 35 times by his country and the clubs have reportedly agreed a £3.5 million transfer fee.  If successful, Tamas will be Celtic boss Gordon Strachan’s third summer capture, after signing Irish winger Pat McCourt from Derry City and Greek striker Giorgios Samaras from Manchester City, who had previously spent four months on loan at the Glasgow club.

Discussions between Tamas’ agents and Celtic continue as an agreement over personal terms has yet to be reached, but Tamas told the Glasgow Evening Times newspaper:

“My chances of moving to Celtic are more than 50-50,” Tamas said in the Evening Times.

“There is a bigger chance I will be playing for Celtic next year than Auxerre.

“For the moment nothing has been completed. But I’m confident I will have news by tomorrow.”

Should Celtic fail in their bid to land Tamas, they have other options to pursue who also play in the French Ligue One.  Le Mans’ Serbian defender, Marko Basa, is one possible target along with AS Nancy player Sebastien Puygrenier and Rennes stopper John Mensah.  Other defensive targets are rumoured to include Dorin Goian, Tamas’ defensive partner at the Euro 2008 tournament and young Czech starlet Marek Suchy, who is also wanted by rivals Rangers, as well as English Premier League clubs Everton, Newcastle and Aston Villa.

However, as one defender looks set to make the switch to Celtic Park, another looks set to depart after Sunderland had a £2 million bid accepted for Celtic left-back, Lee Naylor.  The Englishman had a successful first season in Scotland after moving north from Wolverhampton Wanderers but has since lost his form.  With Gordon Strachan on the hunt for a new left-back - Michal Kadlec of Czech Repulic and Romanian international Razvan Rat continue to be linked - it appears Naylor’s days as a Celtic player are numbered.

Sunderland, managed by Irishman Roy Keane, have been linked with several players but have yet to make any signings.  Keane is known to be looking towards strengthening his defence and Naylor could be the first of several new faces at the Stadium Of Light.

Naylor is expected to hold talks with the Black Cats over the next few days.

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