Celtic have renewed their interest in Sheffield United right-back George Baldock, reports the Daily Record.
This is after missing out on Huddersfield Town’s Tommy Smith, who is set to join Stoke City instead.
The Hoops were prepared to pay £2.5m for Smith, but the Huddersfield Examiner says Stoke met the defender’s £4m asking price.
It means manager Neil Lennon is still on the hunt for a new recruit on the right side of defence. Which has led him back to Baldock.
The Scottish champions failed in a £3m bid for the 26-year-old last month. Now they could return to the negotiating table with an increased offer.
The Potteries were also understood to be interested in Baldock, although that is likely to have dissipated following their capture of Smith.
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Will George Baldock join Celtic?
According to the Sheffield Star, the Bhoys face an uphill battle if they want to sign the full-back. Blades boss Chris Wilder will not entertain the idea of one of his key players leaving this close to the start of the new season.
United are getting ready for their first Premier League campaign in 12 years. Wilder has Baldock and Kieron Freeman as his options at right wing-back and clearly wants to keep it that way.
However, he would be relatively powerless if the player decided he wanted to move to Parkhead. Apparently the offer of European football could potentially tempt Baldock into the switch.
Yet the chance to represent the Blades in the top flight of English football is also alluring. Baldock played an important role in the South Yorkshire side finishing second in the Championship last term.
To exit Bramall Lane now and not reap the rewards of that could be regrettable. This reason is said to be incentive enough for Baldock to stay put.