At £5m, Paddy McNair would be an excellent signing for Celtic

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Celtic are expected to be busy in this summer’s window and have already completed one signing.

Sunderland midfielder Paddy McNair looks set to leave the Stadium of Light and Celtic must not waste the chance to sign the former Manchester United star, after missing out two years ago.

The Daily Mirror claimed in their live transfer blog (16:55, Friday) that Championship trio Norwich City, Derby County and Stoke City were interested in the Northern Ireland international.

Brighton are said to have had a £2million bid rejected for the star, who came through the ranks at Old Trafford as a centre-back before being converted into a central midfielder.

Now, Sunderland are said to be holding out for £5million this summer if they are to sell McNair, and Celtic should throw their hat into the ring after The Daily Record claimed Brendan Rodgers missed out on McNair in August 2016.

Celtic remain reportedly keen to sign Hibernian midfielder John McGinn, along with Rangers and Leeds United, but the Scotland cap was quoted by the Scottish Sun on Friday as saying that it would take something special to leave Hibs.

If Celtic do indeed miss out on 23-year-old McGinn, going back in for McNair would make perfect sense with both players possessing the same kind of box-to-box midfield traits, as well as an eye for goal.

Despite being sidelined for much of the season, McNair still managed to play 16 times in the Championship for Sunderland in which he scored five goals for a side that finished rock bottom of the Championship table.

Though he is a Rangers fan, Rodgers is obviously an admirer of McNair’s, and there is no doubt that he would be an excellent signing at Parkhead. If they do miss out on McGinn, McNair should targeted.