Talks with Mahmic at advanced stage, Emeanlo set to be announced | OneFootball

Celtic are still working hard in their bid to replace Arne Engels, with Ermin Mahmic believed to the main target to fill the void left by the Belgian international…

Talks with the player and his representatives are now believed to be at an advanced stage and Mahmic should be a Celtic player next week.

The Bosnian and Herzegovina international who currently plays for Czech side Slovan Liberec, was their main man last season scoring seven goals and providing three assists, form that caught the attention of several clubs, including Celtic.

The former Austrian youth international then starred for Bosnia at the World Cup, scoring twice in three appearances to rise his stock even further.

According to a report in Daily Record, a deal for the 22 year old is now at an advanced stage, with the Czech side set to bank a fee of around £7 million for the playmaker, with another £1.5 million potentially payable in add-ons.

Ermin Mahmic of Bosnia and Herzegovina scores his team’s third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Qatar at Seattle Stadium on June 24, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

It marks a substantial profit for Slovan Liberec, as they signed the player from Austrian outfit SV Lafnitz last season on a free transfer, showcasing the remarkable rise the player has achieved in the past 12 months.

Once the deal goes through, Mahmic will become the clubs fifth summer signing, joining Camilo Duran, Kasper Hogh, Miko Baur, and Haissem Hassan at Celtic Park.

Despite a slow start to the club’s transfer dealings, it now looks as if they have finally got their act together, as they conduct serval deals in a bid to provide Martin O’Neill with the quality he requires to make an impact not just domestically, but crucially in Europe also.

Landon Emenalo of Chelsea inspects the pitch prior to the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between Chelsea FC and Legia Warszawa at Stamford Bridge on April 17, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Another new signing looks likely to join them in the next few hours, with Chelsea teenager Landon Emenalo expected to sign a season long loan deal but without an option to buy.

The 18 year old who can also operate on the left hand side of the midfield is expected to provide cover and competition for Kieran Tierney at left back. However he can also be played in midfield so is another who can be added to the squad by covering two positions in the team as and when required.

Celtic of course will know on Tuesday evening whether it’s the Champions League or the Europa League that they’ll be playing in. With a comfortable 3-0 advantage from the first leg at Celtic Park it would be a calamity of epic proportions if it’s not Euopean football’s Premier Competition we’ll be playing in over the coming months.

Camilo Duran of Celtic scores his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 play-offs first leg match between Celtic and LASK at Celtic Park on August 19, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Yet LASK are no mugs and an early goal could help swing the tie back towards the Austrian Champions who at this stage have nothing to lose. Martin O’Neill will be well aware of the dangers that this second leg of the Champions League playoffs presents and will set his team up accordingly.

If Celtic can get the first goal then it’s effectively game over and the longer it remains goalless suits Celtic just fine.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

NEW BOOK LAUNCH FROM CELTIC STAR BOOKS…Celtic in the Fifties in two volumes, available to pre-order now…

Celtic in the Fifties by Matt Corr, in two volumes, both published on 4th September 2026 by Celtic Star Books. Click on image to order.

Quick Tip – Add Celticshorts.com as your ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News for quick access to the Celtic content you value the most. It takes just a few seconds and you’ll notice the difference straight away! – Click HERE….Hail Hail!

Click to join Celtic Pools