Celtic still leading Dinko Horkas race but Las Palmas awaiting first bid | OneFootball

Celtic are reportedly still leading the race for UD Las Palmas goalkeeper Dinko Horkas, despite no official bid being launched as of yet…

Jasper Cillessen and Dinko Horkas of UD Las Palmas interact at full-time following the team’s victory in the LaLiga match between FC Barcelona and UD Las Palmas at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on November 30, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

The club have been rumoured to be in the marketplace for another goalkeeper this summertime to replace Kasper Schmeichel and provide more competition for Viljami Sinisalo and Ross Doohan.

Martin O’Neill wants to sign a new goalkeeper

Martin O’Neill has confirmed he would like to look at the goalkeeping department at Lennoxtown and potentially do something, but remained tight-lipped when talking about profiles.

That has led to even more speculation about who the club will look to bring in for O’Neill, with Tjark Ernst and Dinko Horkas the most prominent two names mentioned in connection with the Bhoys this window. However, as we now know, Ernst will be moving to Eredivisie giants – and Celtic’s 1970 European Cup foes – Feyenoord, with the Hertha Berlin stopper no longer on the table.

Fee for Horkas well within Celtic’s reach

Naturally, all of that attention has now turned to 27-year-old Croatian shot-stopper Horkas, who had originally been thought to be available in the €10 million bracket, casting potential doubt over any subsequent Celtic move.

That has been dramatically altered though, as numerous reports now from Gran Canaria have stated the club will be looking for far less.

Hull City drop out of race to sign Horkas

La Provincia, a local newspaper which covers all things Las Palmas, have been keeping everyone abreast of developments lately regarding Horkas and Celtic’s possible chase of the goalkeeper. They state that the Bhoys are still the leading contender for Horkas, with Hull City having dropped out of the race now, yet no bids have arrived for the Croatian.

Inaki Williams of Athletic Club scores his team’s first goal past Dinko Horkas of UD Las Palmas during 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)

It does state though that the Spanish side are eagerly awaiting the very first proposal from the Scottish Premiership Champions, with the segunda division side aiming for a fee between €4-7 million to let Horkas go now.

The same old story from Celtic

It’s the same old story this window when it comes to incomings, with interest high from the club apparently, but nothing concrete happening in relation to any of the names mentioned. It cannot continue and the supporters have reached breaking point at this stage, as lessons had supposedly been learned and a fresh approach would be taken to recruitment.

Alas, the wait goes on.

Paul Gillespie

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