Illness claim a smokescreen as player power points to Baur moving to Celtic | OneFootball

Mika Baur’s absence from the SC Paderborn squad from their pre-season friendly match with English side Southampton was reported to have been an illness by the Bundesliga club, but reliable sources have dismissed that claim…

Paderborn, Home Deluxe Arena, 25.05.26, GER, Herren, R, SC Paderborn 07 – VfL Wolfsburg Bild: Mika BAUR Paderborn DFL . Photo IMAGO / Ulrich Hufnagel

Celtic are hot on the trail of the German U21 midfielder and the club have had bids rejected for the player, as they try to strike an agreement with Paderborn over the transfer of the talented midfielder.

That had thought to be in the region of £4 million, with his side holding out for closer to £4.3 million which seems to me to be a negligible amount, considering the club this week shelled out over £11 million for Kasper Høgh.

New Celtic signing Kasper Hogh is unveiled to the mainstream media at Celtic Park. Photo Roddy Scott IMAGO / Shutterstock

Numerous sources are giving steady updates on the situation and there is a growing belief out there that a deal is still there to be done between the two parties, as it has been claimed that it could rumble on even until the end of the transfer window at the beginning of September.

Mika Baur SC Paderborn,14, Football Bundesliga season 2025 2026 VfL Wolfsburg vs SC Paderborn at the Volkswagen Arena in Wolfsburg Germany 21 May 2026. Photo IMAGO / Christian Schroedter

That seems unlikely though with more recent updates, as Greek journalist George Tsarouchas updated that the negotiations are now at the “crucial stages” in the last day or so, which coincidentally aligns with Baur informing the Germans of his desire to leave home and go and try his luck at a much bigger club, specifically Celtic.

Deluxe Arena, 25 05 26, Germany, Herren, 2026, SC Paderborn 07 VfL Wolfsburg Bild Mika BAUR Paderborn. DFL. Photo IMAGO / Ulrich Hufnagel

Now journalist Mark Hendry has cast more doubt over Paderborn’s official line that Mika Baur was missing yesterday through illness, as sources have relayed to him that the deal to bring the 22-year-old Baur to Parkhead is still very much alive and well. Taking to his social media page on X, he updated his followers on the situation, saying:

Mika Baur of SC Paderborn reacts during the 2. Bundesliga match between SV 07 Elversberg and SC Paderborn 07 at Ursapharm-Arena on May 03, 2026 in Spiesen-Elversberg, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

“Mika Baur missed Paderborn fixture today. Club say he was ill, my understanding is that’s not accurate. Celtic still actively pursuing midfielder despite initial bid being rejected. Tide perhaps turning on a deal. Sources always been positive it can be done.”

Fingers crossed a deal can be agreed soon and the midfield ace is in the squad for Flag Day against Dundee at Celtic Park on Monday evening.

Paul Gillespie

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