Celtic have plenty of business to do this summer, with Martin O’Neill wanting a handful of new signings before the window closes in early September. There are holes in his squad, and there will be an even bigger one once Arne Engels departs for pastures new. The midfield is going to need two or three new signings this summer, and it seems this particular target is the priority for now.
Celtic are said to have pushed for the £4million signing of Paderborn midfielder Mika Baur over recent weeks, but the newly promoted Bundesliga club are not willing to do a deal at that price. One of their club chiefs has come out and said they are under no pressure to sell following promotion, and that they view Baur as a vital player, meaning the deal has to be worth it for them to sell.
But Baur knows he can put pressure on the club by demanding out, likely spurred on by the potential opportunity of playing Champions League football and likely bagging a pay rise. And the midfielder has now done just that, according to journalist Christian Vaquero, who says Baur has now lodged a transfer request.
Vaquero posted on X in Spanish: “Mika Baur has requested that Paderborn facilitate his transfer to Celtic. The German club won’t accept £4million and want to negotiate. The Celtic-Baur agreement is TOTAL.”
It has been reported over recent days that Celtic had agreed personal terms with Baur, but that Paderborn want more money, and this fresh claim backs that up. The good news is that the German club are seemingly willing to negotiate, and Celtic can likely get the deal done by topping up the offer a little, especially with the player now asking to leave.
If Baur is a player the Bhoys truly believe in, then they would be wise to get the deal done, even if it costs them a little more than they were hoping to pay. The Bhoys are likely to bring in £25million for Engels alone this summer, so they can afford to get the deal done at £4.5million, £5million or even a little more, also keeping in mind they will have to sign another midfielder or two after Baur.
Latest updates as of 28 July 2026
As of Tuesday 28 July 2026, the situation around Mika Baur continues to gather pace. Sources close to the negotiations indicate that Celtic have already begun preparing an improved offer in the region of £4.75m to £5.2m, which would include add-ons linked to appearances and Champions League qualification. Paderborn remain firm but are no longer completely closed to a sale, especially with the player having formally requested a move.
Baur’s camp is understood to have made it clear that he sees Celtic as the perfect next step. The 23-year-old German midfielder has impressed in the 2. Bundesliga and is ready for a step up. Playing under Martin O’Neill at a club competing in the Champions League is a significant draw, and the financial package on offer in Glasgow is also believed to represent a substantial increase on his current Paderborn wages.
Celtic’s hierarchy are keen to get the deal over the line before the end of the month if possible. With the Champions League play-off ties approaching and pre-season friendlies still ongoing, O’Neill wants new faces in the building as early as possible so they can be integrated into the squad. Baur is viewed as a player who can operate in a number of midfield roles — box-to-box, deeper-lying or even as a more advanced No. 8 — giving the manager valuable flexibility.
Celtic’s wider summer plans taking shape
The Baur pursuit is happening against a backdrop of significant squad reshaping. Arne Engels’ expected departure is set to generate a sizeable fee, with figures of around £25m still being talked about. That money will be crucial in funding the arrivals O’Neill has identified. Alongside Baur, Celtic remain advanced in talks with Bodo/Glimt over striker Kasper Hogh. Reports earlier this week suggested personal terms have already been agreed and only the final structure of the transfer fee remains to be settled.
Hogh’s arrival would give Celtic another attacking option and competition for Kyogo Furuhashi and others. O’Neill has made it clear he wants more depth across the pitch, particularly with the demands of domestic and European football. The midfield, however, remains the most urgent area. With Engels likely to leave and other options limited, bringing in two or possibly three new midfielders is viewed as essential.
Beyond Baur, Celtic have been linked with a small number of other targets in Germany, the Netherlands and Scandinavia. None are as advanced as the Paderborn man, but work continues behind the scenes. The club’s recruitment team has been busy assessing data and scouting reports throughout July, and several shortlists have been refined in recent days.
Why Baur fits the Celtic profile
Those who have watched Baur regularly this past season describe a player with excellent energy levels, strong progressive passing and a willingness to press high. He is comfortable receiving the ball under pressure and has shown an eye for a forward pass. At 23 he still has significant room for development, something Celtic have traditionally looked for when signing from outside the top European leagues.
Paderborn’s promotion to the Bundesliga has naturally increased their valuation of key players. They do not need to sell and can afford to be patient. That is why Baur’s decision to formally request a transfer is so significant. It changes the dynamic of the negotiations. Clubs are often more willing to listen once a player has made his intentions clear, particularly if that player is determined to force the issue.
Celtic’s willingness to improve their original offer will be key. While £4m was always going to be a starting point rather than a final figure, moving closer to £5m or slightly above would still represent good business if Baur develops into the player many at Celtic Park believe he can become. With the money coming in from Engels, the club are in a strong position to meet a higher asking price without stretching their budget beyond sensible limits.
What happens next
The next 48 to 72 hours could prove decisive. Celtic are expected to table their revised offer early this week. Paderborn will then decide whether the improved package is enough to open the door. If they continue to hold out for significantly more, the situation may drag on into August. However, with the player himself pushing for the move, it is hard to see Paderborn standing in his way indefinitely.
For Celtic supporters the news that Baur has submitted a transfer request is encouraging. It shows the player is serious about the switch and that personal terms are not an issue. The remaining obstacle is purely financial, and that is usually the easier problem to solve when both player and buying club are aligned.
Martin O’Neill has spoken in recent days about the need for quality additions rather than simply numbers. Baur appears to fit that brief. Whether the deal is completed this week or takes a little longer, the midfielder’s formal request has moved the saga into a new phase. Celtic now have a clear path to getting their priority target over the line — provided they are prepared to meet Paderborn somewhere closer to the middle on the fee.
With the transfer window still open for several more weeks and other deals also progressing, this is shaping up to be an important period of activity for the Scottish champions. The Baur situation will be one of the key storylines to follow over the coming days.