Paderborn Boss Addresses Mika Baur Future Amid Persistent Celtic Interest as Transfer Talks Drag On
Paderborn’s head coach has finally broken his silence on the future of highly rated midfielder Mika Baur as links with Celtic continue to dominate the transfer speculation surrounding the young German.
The Bhoys have been actively pursuing the 22-year-old for several weeks now, viewing him as a key addition to strengthen their midfield options for the season ahead.
However, their efforts have so far been met with firm resistance from the Bundesliga newcomers, who have rejected Celtic’s advances after the Scottish champions failed to match their valuation of the player.
According to reports emerging from Germany, Paderborn’s asking price for Baur is expected to sit in the region of £4.3 million. Celtic, true to their traditional approach of seeking value in the market, have been attempting to drive that figure down.
Their leverage in negotiations stems from the fact that the midfielder has just one year remaining on his current contract, a detail that usually forces selling clubs into a more flexible position.
Despite this, Paderborn appear determined to hold firm on their valuation, creating a stalemate that has stretched talks over a number of weeks without a breakthrough.
It is clear, however, that Celtic are not prepared to walk away from the deal entirely.
Club sources and transfer analysts have repeatedly indicated that Baur remains high on the list of midfield targets identified by the recruitment team and manager Martin O’Neill.
The Scottish champions see the young German as a player capable of adding energy, technical quality and progressive qualities to a midfield that is set to undergo significant change this summer.
That change is largely driven by the expected departure of Arne Engels, whose performances last season attracted interest from Premier League clubs and who is widely expected to leave Celtic Park for a substantial fee, potentially in the region of £25 million.
Paderborn Coach Speaks Out on Worst-Case Scenario
As Paderborn prepare for their first season back in the Bundesliga following promotion, head coach Ralf Kettemann has been forced to address the ongoing speculation surrounding not only Baur but also defender Laurin Curda, who has also been linked with moves away from the club.
Speaking to NW Sport, Kettemann offered a measured but revealing response when asked about the possibility of losing key players before the new campaign begins.
“Of course, we’re considering the worst-case scenario, that Mika and Laurin might leave,” the Paderborn boss admitted. “But I’m confident that both will stay. And if not, we’ll find a solution. We have good players and good ideas. I’m really relaxed about it.”
Kettemann’s comments provide the clearest indication yet of how the German club are approaching the situation.
While publicly projecting confidence that both players will remain at the club, the explicit acknowledgement of a “worst-case scenario” involving their departures suggests that internal discussions have taken place about contingency planning.
For Celtic supporters following the story closely, the admission will be interpreted as a sign that Paderborn are at least open to the possibility of losing Baur, even if they remain publicly optimistic about retaining him.
The timing of the comments is also notable. Paderborn are in the final stages of preparing for a challenging return to Germany’s top flight, a competition that demands a higher level of quality and depth than the second tier. Losing a player of Baur’s potential at this stage of the window would force the club into the market themselves, something every newly promoted side prefers to avoid.
Kettemann’s relaxed public stance may therefore be as much about projecting stability to his remaining squad as it is about the genuine likelihood of keeping the midfielder.
Celtic’s Midfield Requirements Under Martin O’Neill
At the other end of the transfer equation, Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has been clear and consistent about the type of midfielder he wants to bring into the squad.
After Monday night’s narrow victory over Dundee, the veteran Irishman once again spoke about his desire for attack-minded midfielders capable of driving the team forward and progressing the ball through the lines. In O’Neill’s system, Callum McGregor typically operates in a deeper role, dictating the tempo and providing defensive cover.
That structure places a premium on the players operating higher up the pitch or in the central zones being able to carry the ball, break lines and create overloads in advanced areas.
Benjamin Nygren has already shown himself to be a useful option in a more advanced midfield role, offering goal threat and technical quality. However, the expected exit of Arne Engels creates a significant gap in the engine room. Engels, during his time at Celtic, demonstrated the ability to drive forward with the ball, link play between defence and attack, and contribute both goals and assists from midfield.
Replacing those attributes will be essential if Celtic are to maintain the balance O’Neill is seeking.
Mika Baur fits the profile almost perfectly. Scouts and analysts who have followed the young German describe him as a classic box-to-box midfielder with the stamina, technical ability and progressive instincts required in modern football.
He is comfortable receiving the ball in tight spaces, capable of carrying it forward under pressure, and possesses the vision to find teammates in advanced positions.
For a Celtic side that will once again be expected to dominate possession in the majority of domestic matches while also competing in Europe, those qualities are highly valuable.
The Financial Context and the Case for Pushing Through the Deal
Celtic’s approach to the negotiations has been characteristically prudent. With Baur’s contract situation offering natural leverage, the club have attempted to secure the player for a fee below Paderborn’s reported £4.3 million valuation. In isolation, that strategy makes sense.
Celtic have long prided themselves on identifying undervalued talent and avoiding inflated transfer fees. However, the wider context of this particular deal raises questions about whether the pursuit of a relatively modest saving is worth the risk of missing out on a priority target.
Arne Engels is expected to command a fee in the region of £25 million should he depart this summer. That figure would represent a substantial injection of funds into Celtic’s transfer budget and would more than cover the cost of replacing him several times over.
Against that backdrop, the difference between Celtic’s current offers and Paderborn’s asking price – potentially as little as a few hundred thousand pounds – begins to look less significant.
At a certain point in any transfer negotiation, clubs must decide whether the principle of extracting every last bit of value outweighs the footballing benefit of securing the player they have identified as the right fit.
For many Celtic supporters, the argument is straightforward. If Baur is genuinely viewed as a player who can improve the midfield and help the team progress under O’Neill, then allowing a relatively small financial gap to derail the deal would be shortsighted.
The Scottish champions have the financial capacity to meet Paderborn’s demands, particularly with the anticipated funds from Engels’ departure. In a transfer market where quality midfielders with the right profile are increasingly expensive and difficult to prise away from their clubs, securing a target who has already been extensively scouted and who fits the tactical requirements should take precedence over a modest saving.
There is also the question of timing. The longer talks drag on without resolution, the greater the risk that other clubs become aware of Celtic’s interest and enter the fray, potentially driving the price higher or forcing Paderborn into a more rigid stance.
Newly promoted sides can sometimes become more flexible as the window progresses and the reality of competing in a higher division sets in, but they can equally dig their heels in if they sense genuine demand for a key player. Celtic’s decision-makers will be weighing these factors carefully as negotiations continue.
What Happens Next
Talks between Celtic and Paderborn remain ongoing, and both sides appear to be keeping channels of communication open. Celtic have not walked away from the deal, a clear signal that Baur remains a genuine target rather than one of several speculative options. Paderborn, through the public comments of their head coach, have acknowledged the possibility of losing the player while expressing confidence that he will stay. That combination of statements leaves the situation delicately balanced.
For Celtic, the coming days and weeks will be critical. The club must decide whether to increase their offer to meet Paderborn’s valuation or continue attempting to leverage the remaining year on Baur’s contract.
Martin O’Neill’s clear preference for progressive, attack-minded midfielders strengthens the case for pushing through a deal if the player is available. With the midfield set to be reshaped by Engels’ likely exit, securing a ready-made replacement of Baur’s quality would represent sensible and proactive squad planning.
Whether Celtic ultimately succeed in landing Mika Baur will depend on how far both clubs are prepared to move from their current positions. Paderborn’s coach has already spoken of the worst-case scenario.
Celtic, for their part, must now decide whether missing out on a priority target over a relatively small sum of money would represent a worst-case outcome of their own. In the modern transfer market, sometimes the most pragmatic decision is simply to go and get your man when the opportunity presents itself – especially when the financial resources to do so are available.
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