Celtic goalkeeper target on the brink of move to UAE | OneFootball

It’s no secret that Celtic require a new goalkeeper with only Ross Doohan considered as credible backup to Viljami Sinisalo, who had an outstanding game in the 3-0 midweek win over Austrian Champions LASK…

Several names have been touted to fill that role with the likes of Tjark Ernst, Balasz Toth, Nick Pope and Gavin Bazunu all being mentioned.

But one name who was said to be a number one target looks to be on the move from his current club, but Glasgow won’t be his next career stop, with the hotter climate of the Persian Gulf his next destination.

Dinko Horkas of UD Las Palmas makes a save during the warm up prior to the LaLiga match between Athletic Club and UD Las Palmas at Estadio de San Mames on April 23, 2025 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Croatian shot stopper Dinko Horkas of Las Palmas is the man in question. The 27 year old attracted serious attention from Celtic scouts due to his impressive performances in Spain’s second tier, but he now looks like ending any chance of joining the Hoops with a lucrative move to the United Arab Emirates on the cards.

Any proposed deal was regularly questioned, but according to several sources, Celtic had been tracking Horkas since January, but were unwilling to pay the reported £5 million asking price for the uncapped goalkeeper.

According to Croatian outlet Telesport, the move for Horkas is now all but agreed, and is set to be announced early next week.

Spanish journalist Christian Zurita reports on the transfer which will close down one long running Celtic transfer rumour with a move to Al-Wasl from Dubai.

Celtic have been sniffing round several other options in recent weeks, most notably Blackburn Rovers keeper Balazs Toth, but Rovers gaffer Tony Mowbray has been quick to pour cold water on the speculation, saying that no deal is so far on the horizon for the Hungarian International.

With a few weeks of the transfer window remaining, we should expect some movement on the goalkeeping front. What we know now is that Dinko Horkas will NOT be coming to Celtic, with the smart money still on the Blackburn keeper Balazs Toth being the most likely incoming at Lennoxtown.

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